-,-    -     I   -:
— 4. -......i-,i 








"M" COMPANY
339th Infantry in


NORTH


RUSSIA


By
JOEL R. MOORE
Capt. 339th Inf.
Printed by
Central City Book Bindery
Jackson, Mich.




ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1920




Introduction
Here you are, men. The book is written to you and for you.
It is far from complete. Boastful it is in places, but there is
no intent to brag over other companies.
We have a right to feel proud of our record. "M" Company,
339th Infantry, always delivered the goods.
You bore your share of the burden and caught your share of
the griefs. You endured the great dark winter.
You showed the quality of your mettle at the end of the winter
when the Bolo broke the Allied line at Bolsheozerke and "M"
Company men went into action on that forlorn-hope defense
with a cheer. It shall always be a proud recollection to me.
I have worked long and carefully to make this history of the
company complete and correct. I hope there is no material
error in it. I thank the many men and officers who have
contributed.
Take the book with the compliments of your former commanding officer and friend. My best wishes go with it.
JOEL R. MOORE,
Capt. 339th Inf., Commanding Co. M.






L I


fn ulemoriam
I    I~ i  IP1


ALVA CROOK


CHARLES OTIS DIAL


SCHLIOMI DYMENT


FRED L. HODGSON




WALTER MERRICK


MATTI NEIMI


ARTHUR P. NUNN


WILLIAM RUSSELL


FRANK E. SAPP


FLOYD A. SICKLES


'I Igl-C ~  —Lalr I' I




Arriving at Archangel
THE grey, black striped "Somali" and consorts steamed slowly up the Dvina River and
dropped anchor in the Port of Archangel. The American soldiers looked out upon
strange sights and strange people. It was a grey day, the fourth day of September,
1918.
Rumor had been current for a day or two that the 339th Regiment of American
Infantry was desperately needed by the little party of French Infantry and British
and American bluejackets who had boldly expelled the Bolshevik forces from Archangel and were at grips with a growing Bolshevik army south of Archangel.
Rumor further had it that the need was so critical that the proposed parade in Archangel would
not be pulled. Major Young lead his battalion directly to the relief of the French on the railway
front. "M" Co. men who had been hard hit by the flu perked up to their best so as to get off the sick
book and be available for the impending movement.
STRAIGHT TO THE FRONT
On the afternoon of the next day we disembarked from the "Somali" at Bakaritza. It rained in
a cold Novemberish way. Remember where the company formed under the long shed? And some
of you were so weak from the fever that you could not stand in ranks, but you preferred to go with
the company rather than to stay behind. And your choice was not unwise, for you came around all
right at the front while many who stayed behind in the hastily improvised hospitals either died of
the flu or were perlnanently weakened and sent back to England for treatment and thence to the
U. S. A.
"M" and "K" Companies were ordered into one troop train. "I" and "L" into another. "M"
and "K" were slated for an operation together. Who will forget those toy-sized freight cars that
we crawled into that afternoon just bare cars for transportation to the front? And all night long
we jerked and rattled along or stood interminably at strange looking stations. In the night we met
a train from the front with the story of a battle and a big bunch of prisoners to give credence to the
story.
Morning found us a couple of miles in rear of the place where the previous day's battle had been
fought. The day was spent in salvaging the small arms ammunition that the enemy had left behind,
for he was using the saime rifles and alnmmunition that we were- both made in America. Months before they had been shipped to Archangel to be used by the Russians in fighting our common enemy
the Hun. Now we were to enter upon a campaign against the faction of Russians who had broken
down their army's morale to fight Germans and had surendered to Germany and, as we were told,
were resisting the attempts of the Allies to protect Archangel from becoming a German submarine
base. As we looked at those Bolo prisoners we failed to see any particular difference between
them and the Russians we had seen at Archangel and Bakaritza. In the months to come we were to
find that it wv:s by no means easy to tell them apart.
A                                            i        1:1-1
7 77  7 777 - 7


"SOMALI"
Thursday, September 5th, 1918, we docked at Bakaritza. Who will ever forget the Somali? Cook Zech solved
th? no yeast problem. But sad the day when the "flu" broke out. It was in the section occupied by "M" men, on the
day following their tour of guard, while the ship was far north of the Arctic Circle, when red sunset of the west
moved northwest to north and so on around to the early sunrise of the east.
Somali of the "Land of the Midnight Sun," we were glad to leave you. Men weakened by fever staggered down
the gangplank and piled cheerfully into the toy-sized Busski freight cars bound immediately for the railroad front.




"M" CO. TAKES THE OUTPOST LINES AT OBOZERSKAYA
"I" and "L" Companies of the battalion had gone on to Obozerskaya and relieved the French
company holding the outposts after their battle and capture of the place.
On the afternoon of the next day "M" Co. moved up and relieved the two companies of the outposts. Do you remember the drizzly rain? Remember the cold water of the swampy pine woods
where some of you stood on outguards those first days? "No fires" was the order from Major Young.
Briggs ought to picture that scene as one of his "When a feller needs a friend."
Remember that long journey to the river for water and the big hand pump for filling the engines? Perhaps Old Joe thinks of the big Russki barrel on a cart that the boys used later to haul
water from the forester's village.
WE MOVE TO TEMPORARY QUARTERS IN VILLAGE
On the tenth we were relieved by "I" Co. and moved into quarters in the village. Not much
trouble finding room, for the Bolos had frightened many inhabitants away and carried off some of
them. The company officers were quartered in the home of the former head forester. In a big front
room with ruber plants and a mammoth hanging lamp. The mother and two daughters never saw
the head of the house after the Bolos took him away.
The sergeants under the leadership of their resourceful old top soon had a fine set of bunks
and had solved the combination of the Russki brick stove that had given them so smoky a welcome.
Here Corporal Swift took over the duties of Company Clerk, Sgt. Huston turned the mess work
over to Sgt. Page and he began helping Lt. Stoner teach the men how to handle the Lewis guns. We
had left our light Brownings in England and were now obliged to learn to use the Lewis gun.
Off and on for about two weeks Obozerskaya village was home. Here in the peasant homes,
where we saw washing and scrubbing, we came to tolerate the, at first, nauseating smell of their
rooms-some rooms and some persons worse than the other, for we learned that it was because of
the lack of real soap and their use of a combination of fish oil and crude oil in a substitute for soap
that made their clothes smell so. Here the American soldier became accustomed to seeing women
at hard manual toil, barishnas with leather boots on, and to the exicted burr-burr-burrz of the droskie drivers trying to stop their fiery little ponies.
Here it was that the cooks made us pies on the anniversary day, September 22. Eight cans of
peaches had come from Capt. Heil at Bakaritza.
Here it was that we entertained the first visiting airplane, who dropped a small bomob in our
vicinity. Corp. Romanski's gang of laborers, mostly women and girls and old men, were just beginning our airplane field and so our planes had to fly all the way from Archangel to repay the
Bolo's visit and drop him a present.
OBOZERSKAYA


Looking at part of Obozerskaya from the top of the house, old post No. 7, where Sgt. Getzloff and his men
that rainy night, Sept. 7, that Co. "M" took over from "I" and "L" Cos. the outpost. Sgt. Walker can guess at the
location of his post in the pine forest to the left. Sgt. Zapfe on the right. Lt. Donovan a mile down the track-and
beyond him Sgt. Magin with a squad-Lt. Wieczorek on to the right on the Onega Road.
Pretty tough, that cold drizzly night. Sgt. Dundon's cracker-tin box-stove couldn't heat up the soles of the
captain's trench boots. How did the men stand it in the swampy pine woods? They just did stand it. And worse
later.
Look closely at the picture. See the old bathhouse? The ration house? Our old battalion Hq? The Red
Cross field hospital? The blue car, that nearly blew, the day the Bolo cut us off?
Obozerskaya, you looked strange to us Sept. 7th. Your familiar sights at 2:00 a. m. after march from Verst
18 most welcome to us on April 5th. And you looked best of all to us from the rear end of our train bound for Bakaritza on evening of May 20th.






466
Here our first engagement with the Bolsheviki, Sept. 11. Home camp for "M" Co. whenever on the railroad
front. Remember the protected cook shanty you built for the cooks? And the bunks with the flax mattresses you
built for Co. Hq? And the old well?
Remember the bonfire the night the company came back from 445? Here Capt. Boyer "married" the French
and American soldiers and we rehearsed our flank march and assault on 455. Here we always liked to rest secure.
See the bathhouse in the foreground?
And on this front edge later was built the fateful barricade within which the Mills grenade, accidentally,
through no fault of himself or anyone, took the life of Corporal Russell, April 19, 1919.
Our First Engagement
September 11, 1918
WE DRIVE BOLO FROM 466
Well remembers the Captain the night before the first battle the company was in. Lt. Stoner
and I slept in an empty box car the night of the ninth. In the morning we broke ice to dip water
for our hands. The mnen on outpost were stiff and sore. Then came the order that relieved us and
allowed us to settle snug in the village. Everyone was comfortable and thankful. Along floated a
rumor that evening that Lt. Danley, out at the "military crest" post, had already seen Bolos and
had warning from an old man that the enemy was about to attack.
Sure enough in the morning came the alarm. "M" Co. wfas sent out hastily on the armored train
to make reconnaissance in force. Of course, Col. Guard did not expect us to get into a fight but when
we got the enemy's position he was pleased. We held it.
Remember the first shell? That thing far down the straight track which Col. Guard had called
a saw mill, suddenly flashed  followed a boom-came then a whining, twisting, whistling shell that
passed over us, broke, and showered shrapnel in the trenches where lay our reserves. And we hurried on lest he should shorten his range and catch somne of us in the burst of fire.
We overtook a small combat patrol under Lt. Williams of "L" Co. which had gone out some time
ahead of us but had not made contact yet with the enemy. Joined them to our force.
At the clearing where stood several buildings besides the telegraph station, we encountered the
enemy. Corporal O'Connor leading the "point" of the advance on the left flank, had the honor of
first receiving enemy fire and he promptly returned it. Sgt. Dundon with three squads went to the
support of Lt. Wieczorek's platoon on the left. When the attack had fully developed on the left, Lt.
Donovan pushed rapidly forward on the right of the railroad, skirting the clearing and fell on the
enemy's flank 500 yards beyond the clearing. The main body meanwhile occupied the clearing at
466 and established liason with the reserve and with the armored train. The position was ours
without the loss of a man.
Here it was that the Captain of the company unfairly earned the credit of great coolness under
machine gun fire. The fact was that he did not know the difference between a Bolo "machine gun
talk" and the "talk of a Lewis gun." He calmly rested his field glasses on the Bolos when Lt. Donovan made his attack and was unaware of the fact that the enemy was covering his retreat with a
German Maximn and spurting the dirt all round him, till Sgt. Dundon informed him that he made an
excellent target for the Bolo machine gun.
Perhaps Lt. Donovan would have captured that same machine gun if he had been permitted to
press his flank attack faster and further, as he would have done except for previous orders. As it
was, the company had gained the clearing at 466 and also gained possession of a bridge at 464 which
the enemy had just repaired. And his attack on Obozerskaya had been discouraged.




FIRST NIGHT AT 466
Who does not remember that first night at 466? Cold and supperless. Oh, we almost got a
big can of stew! But in his excitement, the battalion Adjutant, Lt. Jahns-good old hustler that he
was, overlooked the can of stew and it went back to Obozerskaya and spoiled. We did get our
overcoats and a blanket apiece and some bully beef and hardtack and a can of "tie." We got more
ammunition and got a Vickers gun and crew consisting of one British sergeant and several recently
recruited Russians. We posted our sentries and laid ourselves down on the soft plank floors to
sleep. We had no fear of attack for in the evening our airplane had drawn enemy fire as much as
six miles away and the enemy had blown up something on the track between us and him. We
judged it to be the destruction of a bridge at 458. Later we verified this.
Remember the old man and the little boy who crawled out of the attic of the building which the
sergeants and cooks took for their quarters? How thankfully the boy changed from his diet of oats,
raw oats, to the profered handful of hardtack that the boys chipped in and gave him. And how the
old man showed you the well-one of the very few that you saw in the country. Water that night was
precious, for your canteens had been drained in that hard day's work.
Next morning Corporal Montgomery's guard brought in a Bolo deserter. Sgt. Kantrowitz acted
as interpreter. Enemy strength of preceding day declared to be 200, with promised reinforcements
of 300 which had failed to come during the engagement.
Sgt. Walker patrolled forward beyond the bridge and found no traces of the enemy. Other patrols on the flanks found no roads or trails leading to 466, except a small trail to the west. We liked
the place. We never did intend to give it back to the Bolo.
Battle of 458 and the Famous Night March
Space will not permit the continued story of daily events. The next big event was the famous
night inarch of the 28-29th of September and the two days' fighting at 458, There the enemy had
been holding the bridgehead.
"AM" Co. had been several days at 466 completing the defenses and making patrols from 464 forward to the enemy position at 458 to observe his progress in repairing the bridge. It was understood that "K" Co. was making progress slowly on the left flank in the vicinity of Kodish and that
some day a joint push would be made to roll the Bolo back and try to get his armored train, which
had annoyed us almost daily with his long distance shelling, using the 4.7 naval guns that he had made
off with from Archangel.
On the night of the 27th the "Australian forces" of the Allied expedition, our popular friend, Lt.
Graham, who handled the Russian trains, tipped us off that we better look out for an advance. We
could hardly believe that it was to be next day, as he said. But at noon next day, Colonel Sutherland, 0. C. "A" Force, called conference of officers at Obozerskaya and gave order for a flank march
and a morning attack on 455 and 458. The march was to begin at 3:00 p. ni. from a point on the railroad near 461.
No one had been over the proposed route of march. No Russian guide could be provided. We
must follow the blazed trail of an east-and-west forest line till we came to a certain broad north-andsouth cutting, down which we were to march so many verst posts till we were past the enemy's flank
and then attack him in rear. Lt. Chantrill, the pleasant British interpreter, was to act as guide, although he himself had no acquaintance with the area.
"AM" Co. with half of "I" Co. struck into the woods late in the afternoon. There had been delay
in the train. It was dark long before we reached the broad cutting. Who will forget that desperate
night march? Could not see the man before you. Ears told you he was tripping over fallen tree
trunks or sloshing in a knee-deep bog hole. Hard breathing told the story of exhaustion. Only
above and forward was there a faint streak of pale starlight that kindly led us on and on south toward the Bolo camp.
Comes an urgent request from the rear to halt the column. We have lost three squads of "M"
Co. and all of "I" Co. The Captain goes back to find them. There they are at a supposed fork in


the road, fearing to take the choice. "Look up, Corporal Henning, at that streak of light. There
lies the direction. We could not have gone off into that black cave. When you lose contact follow
the streak of light."
IMPASSABLE SWAMP
For more than two hours we have been striving to make progress through a great marsh into
which the cutting has led us. To the right, to the left, in front, the tantalizing optical illusion lures
us on toward apparently firm footing. But it is ever the same treacherous mire. We cannot stand a
moment in a spot. We must flounder on. The column has to spread. Distress comes from every
side. Men are groggy with exhaustion. Some one who is responsible for that body of men sweats




blood. How clearly sounds the exhaust of the steam engine in the Bolo camp on the nearby railroad. We wonder if their outguards will hear us passing. Courage men, we must get on!
This is a fine end. Some map that the Colonel has. It did not show this lake or he would not
have marched us off down the cutting into a swamp that hugs an impassable lake. We are done
for. A detour of the lake without a guide is impossible. (Two weeks later with two guides in daylight we thought it a remarkable feat.) Good judgment now dictates a return to 461 to be able to rest
up and help in the direct attack on 458. We have failed but it can can hardly be blamed upon us.
We followed orders and directions but they were faulty.
But how shall we extricate ourselves? Who knows where the cutting may be found? Can
staggering men again survive the treacherous marsh? It is lighter now. We will pick our way better. But where is the cutting? Have we missed it? Then we are done for. Where is "I" Co. again?
Lost? Here, Corp. Grahek, Sgt. Getzloff, you old woodsmen, scout around for that rear party of
ours and see if you can spot the cutting. Who is that dead to the world? Pvt. Starikoff? No, he
is lost behind for good. What! No! We shall not believe it. And no trace of the rear part of the
column!
There is no other way to do it. We must risk a shout. The enemy may hear. "Danley!"
"Halloo!" "Yes, here on the cutting!"
Did ever the straight and narrow way seem so good? We are soon united again and the return
march to 461 wearily begins. Bugler Garton and Pvt. Mills volunteer to run ahead with message to
field headquarters at 461 to report our march. Daylight of a Sunday morning aids our footsteps.
We cross again the stream through which in the pitch dark we had waded waist deep. And we
wondered that no one had been drowned.
Zero hour arrives. We had thought we would be miles away at this minute standing in the woods
near 455 to make our attack simultaneously with the attack the the French and Americans at 458.
AFTER AN ALL NIGHT MARCH IN THE SWAMP
This picture makes every one of you think. What a march that was! No map-no guide. No one sure that


his strength would hold out. And then square up to the lake. Compelled to turn back. The cutting lost. Men
falling. The column broken. Cold sweat on the man responsible for the party. Never to his last day will he forget the sense of relief and thankfulness when in response to a guarded hello he was answered by Lt. Danley. The
rear part of the column had lost us but found the cutting.
Your physical strength was about gone when you reached camp.
Here are Sgt. Dundon and Hebmer and Pvts. Lewis and Stasiak and others of your mates at one of the many
camp fires at the Field Hq. at 461.
In a few minutes 61 of them will be answering the captain's call for a volunteer platoon to go forward to
cover the retreat and hold the bridge. In the next picture you seen them moving forward. Some of them never
walked back. Lt. Donovan was wounded. Nine others killed and wounded, as related elsewhere. British Hq.
went backward. This little party, supported by the thirty Co. "I" and M. G. Co. men, held the bridge two days and
two nights. In that picture you see something J. Bolo never saw-their backs.




Now we listen to the artillery of both sides and listen for the rat-tat-tat of the Bolo machine guns
which will talk spitefully when our Allies move on the bridgehead. We hurry on. The battle is
joined. The pine woods roar and reverberate with roar. By taking a nearer blazed trail we may
reach the scene of action sooner.
At 8:40 a. m. we emerge from the woods near our armored train. At field headquarters Major
Nichols directs that every man at once be made comfortable as possible. Men build fiires and warm
and dry their clammy, water-soaked feet. Bully and hardtack and tea revive a good many. And
well it may for the fight is going on against us. Help is neeled and "M" Co. is asked to give a platoon.
VOLUNTEER PLATOON
No one platoon can do it. Too many men are all in from the night march. A volunteer platoon
is organized. Sgts. Kantrowitz, Riha, and Zapfe are still strong on their feet, and volunteer. The
men are all willing but the top sergeant moves among them and picks out 58 who are most willing and
in best shape for the critical work ahead-to cover a retirement and hold a position commnanding
the bridgehead. All the junior officers want to go with the platoon but the captain takes Lt. Donovan. And inside of two hours Lt. Donovan an  nine others are wounded-two to the death.
Remember the position we chose? In the short brush in line along the stream, with the two
Lewis gun teams under Corporals Rahn and Grahek covering the right flank and the left side of the
railroad along which the enemy might be expected. And the bridge was not 50 yards away, on our
right. Early in the game we came under the machine gun fire of the enemy who was spraying our
reserve positions with indirect machine gun fire preparatory to delivering his counter-attack upon
the French and Americans who had pushed into his first line positions and were caught in a trap.
It was a machine gun bullet that hit Lt. Donovan in the left side, followed a rib around to the backbone, just missed the vertebra and clipped through the thick muscles below the right shoulder blade.
Fortunately the eneny's range was extended and no one else was hit by his machine gun fire.
Remember that grim-faint feeling you had when the Bolos charged with their devlish yell and
won back their trenches and we saw the French and the Americans come running back along the
railroad side! All the next hour we expected any minute to see their line coning toward us.
To the credit of the handful of American iachine gun men and to the itmall detachment of
trench mnortar nen and to the French company tht hada so gallantly taken and held the position for
several hours, let it be said that they inflicted such losses upon the enemy that he did not attempt to
retake the bridge in force that day, contenting himself with a smart artillery barrage and with sending a small force just at night to attempt to capture and blow up the bridge by surprise. And when
they came they found Corporal Grahek's Lewis gun too deadly.
Meanwhile during the afternoon this platoon sat tight in its position commanding the bridgehead, annoyed but unscathed by the enemy's artillery, firing high explosive at the bridge and soarching the vicinity of our position with shrapnel. But our own artillery gave us a nasty, disastrous
barrage, by mistake or reckless order.
SEVERE CASUALTIES AT BRIDGE
I had sent a written message to field headquarters telling exactly the position my platoon was in
and asserting that I intended to sit tight there and meet the expected attack of the Bolo. But the British officer in command there evidently lost his head. He heard that the enemy was at the bridge and
issued an order to his artillery to fire at the bridge, which was 50 yards to our right and practically
the same range. Capt. Alliez, the French officer in command of the ill-fated morning attack, and
Lt. Costello, who had both seen our position when they retreated past us, quickly warned the British
officer that his fire would get the Americans who were defending the bridge. But before the order


Forward to Hold Bridge at 458.




could be countermanded the damage was done. Nine men were wounded in the tempest of shrapnel and one was shell-shocked.
Pvt. Schliomni Dyment died on the field and Pvt. Matthei Neimi died en route to the base hospital as a result of that short barrage. And Corp. Rahn and Pvts. Drews, Jerrain, Karapuz, Yasas,
and Smaglich were severely wounded. Sgt. Riha was slightly wounded and Pvt. Clarence Miller
was shell-shocked. The latter was found crying beside his comrade Rahn and trying to get him
away to safety.
It was Corporal Steinhauer's quick eye that discovered that the hot increase of artillery fire
was due to the barrage from the rear. He warned the Captain of the fact and he immediately ordered the line to the rear at double time and formed a new line 200 yards in the rear of the first.
Luckily the artillery fire of both sides soon stopped and when Captain Alliez sent word for us
to beware of an immediate enemy attack on the left flank, we hastened back to our former position
and brought away our wounded. It was here that we found Corp. Grahek and Pvt. Miller had rushed
back before the barrage ceased to bring to bring to safety their wounded comrades. These deeds
of conspicuous bravery were reported, and one night at 466 the company formed a hollow square
by the light of a camp fire and witnessed the presentation to those two men of British military decorations, by Major Turner, acting for the British General commEanding the Allied Expeditionary
Forces.
We hastened to consolidate our position so as to hold the bridge. Remember how glad we
were to find reinforcements from "I" Co. and Lt. Spitler with a pair of machine guns fromI the machine gun company and a French Chauchat rifle squad to help defend the bridge? And from the
French we learned how to dig in. But it was weary work for our volunteer platoon that had been
marching and fighting for 24 hours.
No wonder that the men between tricks on duty that night slept with their backs to the dripping pine trees and minded not the rain. No wonder that in the dusk of evening the artillery duel
between our armored train and the enemy's could not keep them awake. And Major Nichols-always so human and practical-buzzing our field phone every few mninutes to see if we were all right
and keep us encouraged, consented to let the sleepy oflicer ignore the artillery and sleep. And well,
for the morrow was to be another strenuous day.
SECOND DAY'S FIGHT
Sgt. Kantrowitz was first on the job in the morning. On this as on many another occasion the
old sergeant cased the load for the officer in commland. Remnants of the iron ration allayed the
ravenous hunger. Men patrolled and began building shelters. The promised tea and rations from
field headquarters arrived at 10:15 and just at the same time the enemy hit the bridge with a flank
attack. During the next three hours the tea got cold while the engagement lasted. The enemy
soon withdrew his infantry; it was little more than a raid, and then began again the artillery duel.
This time the enemy made it warm for us but only one nman was wounded, a Frenchnman.
It was in this fight that Pvt. Marostica had his desire fulfilled "to be a regular soldier," for, sent
up with rations party, he unslung his rifle and joined the firing line. For this he was given back his
regular status as private in good standing. His original defection, anyway, had been more the
fault of some shyster pro- German lawyer in Detroit. And the men were glad to see Marostica come
through a good American soldier.
Remember how glad we were to get a half platoon reinforcements under Lt. Primnlm that noon?
Remember "well the nerve of the little Lewis gun squad of "I" Co. men who held to their position
conmmanding the bridge even after the French Chuchat squad had "beat it?" Remember the H. E.
shells that searched straight up the track toward our position, and remember that one cut off a tree
top and dropped it into Pvt. Allen's face? Remelmber how the men continued their building of huts
for the night. For the French were slow in coming up. The train service was demoralized. British headquarters still in doubt whether we could hold the bridgehead. So we were elected to hold
the position for another night. And were relieved early in the morning.
Two days' rest at 466 and then the comnpany went back to 461 and the next day took over the
front lines at 458 from "I" Co. British were having trouble keeping French troops on the front line.
Americans overworked in consequence. October 5th found the company back at 466 again. Next
day Corporal Messersmith took his squad on its nmemorable march across forest country to Chikueva.
Next day came the first bag of letters from home. And same day we reorganized the platoons


for the proposed amalgamation with Captain Boyer's French company. And next day with the assistance of Pvt. Roleau, our interpreter, Capt. Boyer "married" the French and American squads.
Remember the daily practice for a week so that we could operate in the woods and make our proposed morning attack on the Bolo at 455.
"Handcuffed to Archangel, I go," said the veteran French captain, "before I will start off as did
the Americans to make an attack with no guide and no knowledge of the ground." So we practiced the formations and Lt. Primm and Lt. Reese and Lt. Chantrill, Lt. Halock and Lt. Wieczorek
at




and Russian woodsmen made personal reconnaisance of the swampy trails on both sides of the railroad. And finally it was decided to try again the left flank and make simultaneous attack on 457
and 455 at daybreak of the 14th of October.
Meanwhile Lt. Wesley K. Wright arrived at 466 with 40 replacement men. They with "M" Co.
flu convalescents from Archangel were to form the fourth platoon. It was October 8th that they arrived. And Pavlin and Zech were the main men of "M" Co. who were on the reception committee for
the greatly welcomed newcomers. They had gone to France with the 85th Division as parts of the
337th and 338th and 340th regiments of infantry, had found nothing to do in France, and so were
sent up to Archangel to replace the many men lost in battle or by disease and exposure by the 339th
Infantry. And they soon took hold under Sgts. Gray, Hay and Grahek and became part and parcel
of the regular "M" Company fighting machine. Even the "K" Co. replacement men who were attached for several weeks to the Company caught the spirit of the Company and we hated to see
them go away to join "K" Co.
Flank March and Capture of 457 and 455
At last we are ready for the operation. Every man has had a chance at the "bahyna" and has on
clean underclothing. Each man has gone with his French comrade to the big barrel and carries a
pleasant canteen on his hip. Each carries in his pocket three or four V. B.'s for the French rifle
men who will shoot the grenades from the tromblon. For Americans have not yet been armed with
the French automatics and rifle grenade tromblons and rifles.
Lt. Primnm with Pvt. Starikoff as interpreter will take the third platoon with Lt. Soyer's French
platoon in the flank and rear attack on 457. Lt. Stoner shares joint command of the amalgamated
1st platoon, Lt. Wieczorek the 2nd, St. Kantrowitz the 3rd. Capt. Boyer with his four buglers and
four runners and his Russian pack carrier and Russian guide together with Capt. Moore and his runners, First Sergeant Dundon, interpreter Rouleau, and Bugler Garton, constitute the headquarters
detachment.
Lt. Stoner's Russian guide and point enter the woods near 461 at 9:55 a. m. on the long march to
gain the rear of 455. Just as we feared, the enemy has information of our movements. Inside fifteen
minutes the long thin column of blue and olive drab threading its way through the forest by aid of
the blazed trees comes under the shrapnel fire of the enemy guns. He does not change the range.
Evidently he has it set for that trail. The whole column must pass the spot. But fortunately his
range is just right so that the shells do not burst till almost directly over the column. So we pass
untouched.


BIG 155 MM. (SIX INCH)
We heard you many times. Hoarse, whining shell going over in a big curve toward the Bolo trenches. We
listen a few seconds ---then the earth thuds and shudders with the distant boom borne on the air.
Or from our "old pip" the 0. P. at the top of the curve we look forward as the shell whines over and watch
to see the earth and snow spout skyward as the big egg bursts on the Bolo line. Good hit, you Frenchie.::000: fffE: C3:
t::S::C;d




With what caution that long day's march. Remember how those helmets of ours would loudly
ring in our ears when a branch camne swishing back. Remember the peculiar bird call that the
French runers used in locating a flank patrol that got lost as we marched along roughly parallel to
the big cutting which we had used in the memorable night march? Remember the spooky feeling
you had just at dusk as you passed the cap of the Frenchman that the Bolo had stuck up to test
whether a French patrol had passed that way and taken the cap. And you wondered if the Frenchie
were dead or a prisoner.
Remember the dead silence and absolute motionlessness of our column when the airplane
passed over us twice in the wroods that afternoon, for we knew not whether he were friend or enemy.
Remember the pleasant hour of rest for lunch that sunny Sunday afternoon as you ate and
drank with the Frenchies and tried to talk parleyvoo, or gavareete with them?
How intricate and blind the trail that gives us passage between the two lakes. Good guides,
without we could not make it even by day. We breathe a sigh of relief every time you go forward
and return with a husky, whiskered "Koroshaw."
Too soon the night closes down. Our bivouac is made in a hollow square. We are near the
enemy. His telephone wire we have crossed but are careful not to disturb. He must have a listening post out here somewhere. (Next day we find he had a machine gun out there commanding the
cutting.) But we are inside the cutting. A long, rainy night is before us.
MORNING ATTACK OCTOBER 14
It is 5:10 a. m., dark and foggy. Men are stretching their cold and cramped frames. The rainy
night has been interminable. Trying to lie on a log or recline against the side of a tree has been
weary business. No smokes. No eats. In ten minutes the column is in motion. For some reason
Capt. Boyer wants the second platoon to lead off.
Lt. Wieczorek's platoon leads off in the grey foggy dawn. The following platoon loses contact
and has to wait for a guide. Too bad, for it sends the right flank attackers too far ahead. The two
platoons which are to hit in the rear can not press forward fast enough to make up for the delay.
The engineer detachment under Lt. Giffels can not get up in time to blow the track.
The Bolo's listening posts and his big tower on his left flank now stand him in good stead. He
sees the little platoon creeping in and sends a force out to attack. There is ten minutes of stiff fighting. The other two platoons are hurrying forward. By the sounds from Bolo camp they are outnumbering our comrades on the flank. So we must make a rush for the railroad and play our part.
Oh, those bugles. Whoever heard of such a charge and such a melee? Firing and shouting and
yelling the three platoons press on. The enemy opens fire in our direction with machine guns and
with pointblank artillery fire. But he is rattled. His fire is high. After the first burst our line
swarms on. Now Stoner's men are out where they can aid the men of Wieczorek's platoon. The enemy in panic leaps to his troop train and dashes away to the south.
Only a few Bolos remain to cover the rout with a pair of machine guns, but these they abandon
easily to the yelling horde that debouches from the woods. We tremble to think what they could have
(lone to us had they held their machine gun belts till we swarmed into sight.
In front of one gun falls Pvt. Merrick with a ball through his head. Sgt. Kantrowitz's men are
over the track. A straggling shot or two from the woods and all is over. We count up our casualties. Marvelous! Only one American killed. Corporal Steinhauer is badly wounded. Pvt. Jondro
is bad hit in the arm. Pvt. Keller smiles still with a shattered knee. Pvt. Lawrence is wounded in
wrist and side by a bomb thrown by a Bolo machine gunner who runs away. Remember that Lawrence claims he shot the Bolo and went on with his platoon to help clear the adjacent woods and consolidate the position?
We have heard the artillery in the direction of 457 and the rifle fire and all is quiet now. So we
trust that the other part of the attack has also been successful and sen(l runners to make liason. Corp.
Campbell, who used to be an "M" Co. man but is now one of Lt. Anselmi's efficient signal men,
starts off with one man to patch up telegraph wire connections so as to restore connection with our
field headquarters which is somewhere near 458 with Connmmander Young's armored train.
It is 7:45 when the place is taken. Before noon the French and Americans have arranged defenses for any possible counter-attacks and fires are burning cosily at each post where the olive
drab and horizon blue comrades are drying their socks and waiting patiently for the chow sergeants
to get up with the rations. Renmember the rage of our mess sergeant Page when the chow train did


come up only to have it pulled hastily back by order of the Br. O. C. because the Bolo chose to do a
little long distance shelling? And it was four o'clock when the men finally got their hot mess from
old Joe's car.
Lt. Primm and his men come on through from 457. The day has been highly successful all
around except for the failure to catch the enemy's armored train. But we have inflicted heavy losses
on the enemy. His men crowded into the troop train suffered heavily, as we learned afterward from
prisoners taken.




Battle of 445, October 17
The company had a day and a half to rest up, bury the dead, and reorganize for the continuation
of the push. Probably many friends and relatives have seen the moving picture scene of a strange
military funeral in the wilds of North Russia where Americans, French and British and Russians
gathered to do final honors to the brave dead. It is a view of a French bugler assisting the American
bugler, George Garton of "M" Co., 339th Infantry, to blow taps over the grave of Pvt. Walter Merrick,
of Sandusky, Mich. It was an American Red Cross filmn, taken at verst 455. Remnember the way in
which the French always assisted at the funerals?
Good old "I" Co. had gone on through 455 and taken 448 and a French company with them. The
Bolo had retreated as far as 445. He was on the run. Stiff pursuit would perhaps have pushed him
south of Empsa. But it was more than two American companies could do. The French had learned
of the German peace overtures and were loath to fight further. "Le guerre finis," said the poilu. And
so "I" Co. at 448 found itself unsupported by the French Co. and at 455 the doughty Captain Boyer
had to break up a mass meeting of his French soldiers. Hence it became absolutely necessary to
call on "M" Co. to move up to support of "I" Co.
Death in action and wounds and exposure had so decimated the four original platoons that it
was necessary to reorganize the company into three platoon fighting units, commanded in order by
Lts. Stoner, Wieczorek and Primm, leaving the fourth platoon still in its formative stage under
Lt. Wright.
On the afternoon of the 16th we moved up as far as the troop train could take us, marched
around the armored trains who were duelling with the enenmy, and reached field headquarters at 5:10
p. m. and Lt. Primin's platoon at once relieved Lt. May's platoon badly wearied by the day's shelling.
Capt. Winslow was somewhere in the woods near 446 hotly engaged with superior forces of the
enemy, and Capt. Moore and Sgt. Dundon went forward to look over the situation, by order of Col.
Sutherland, with the view to an early morning advance by "M" Co.
"M" Co. men will not forget that night. Around their campfires they sat and talked of the strange
campaign, talked of the rumors of German collapse, and speculated on the effect on their war.
All night they sat with rifles in hand, for the Bolo and "I" Co. had several fire exchanges during the
night.
Meanwhile plans were laid for the assault at dawn. The British artillery officer, Major Lee,
was to give us a 30 minute barrage on 445 at 6:30 a. In. Contrary to our usual tactics of proceeding
by the flank, we determined to push a frontal attack straight (lown the track to the clearing and not
try to clear up the woods of Bolos as we went along as that would take too much time. And besides
wNe did not have any information as to the nature of the ground any distance. If we stuck close to
the railroad we could keep our lines in liason and when we got the clearing the Bolos we had passed
would be in worse fix than we would be, as they would be cut off from their main body.
At 4:00 the comnpany breakfasted and all plans were set for the mnovement. Lt. \Vieczorek was to
advance on the left side of the railroad, Lt. Stoner on the right, Lt. Prinmm's platoon which had been
on duty all night was to move on the right side of the track 200 yards in rear of Stoner's column, as
the enemy was known to have a considerable force somewhere on that side, having successfully disputed the advance of "I" Co. the preceding afternoon.
JUMPING OFF
Promptly at 6:25 the company relieved "I" Co. in its trenches which had been hastily thrown up
the night before. And with the first shell thrown over by our artillery, the advance began in squad
columns.
At 6:55 Stoner's men encountered a strong enemy outpost, the entrenchments which the enemy
had thrown up the night before. Followed a short fire fight and then the cheers and yells of the
doughboys as they rushed the enemy's works and drove him out. The luck with us. Not a man was
hit.
Progress was now more cautious. The going was difficult. How, many a time since, we have
looked at that swampy ground and wondered how men could carry a straight line of advancing squad
columns, to say nothing about forming a skirmish line for fire and charge.
The second platoon encountered no opposition on the left. The enemy evidently thought that
the ponds of water would discourage approach on that side. Lt. Stoner's advance was finally


halted at the edge of a broad stream that flowed beside a big clearing about half a mile square and
filled with wood piles and occupied by about a dozen houses. Careful reconnaisance by Corp. Magin, who crossed the stream on a log, disclosed the fact that the clearing was occupied by the enemy
in considerable strength. We afterward found it to have been between five and six hundred, with a
similar number of reinforcements expected that morning.
So it was found best to bring the reserve platoon up to the stream so as to be ready to join the
attack on the right, where it was suspected, and correctly, that the engagement might be most hot.




And in case the enemy should play his old trick of retiring to the woods and staging a counter-attack
it would be best to have the whole force in the clearing with Lt. Spitler and his two machine guns to
make a tight little defense till the company of French should come on and support us.
Well, the scrapping was hot enough on both sides of the clearing. But we had the enemy's
goat. The attack was so impetuous that the enemy's fire was wild and his lines broke from cover to
cover frantically. What with the yelling Americanski devils led on by their officers Stoner and
Wieczorek and Sgts. Hebner, Getzloff, Kantrowitz, and Corporals Magin and Pratt, and what with the
bursting of hand grenades. Remember it was Stoner's faulty marksmanship at the door of a dugout
that spared the lives of those 28 people in the dugout, only one of whom was a Bolo soldier, the rest
being non-combatants, mostly womnen and children, one a babe eight days old.
Remember the vigorous chase the first and second platoons gave the enemy through the woods,
while the third'platoon was consolidating the ground and half of the French company under Capt.
Apsche came up to take the defense of the east and west flanks of the long clearing?
Guess those two platoons would have chased the Bolo to Empsa that morning if the captain'
runner had not overtaken theni with an order to return and prepare to hold the line at the clearing.
We had reached the objective set by the British Colonel. And it looked like a good place to arrange troop quarters for the near-approaching winter. In fact the line never did move further
south.
Again Dame Fortune had been marvelously friendly to the attacking force. Not a man was
wounded although several had their clothing and equipment riddled. Nine Bolo dead were picked
and three wounded and one prisoner. But on the 19th and 20th the company had a little hard luck
in the defense of the place. Corporal Bogacheff was severely wounded and so was Pvt. Ray Vicary.


'TEMPlORARY SHELTER AT 445.
Who built this shrapnel shelter? Here are some characteristic Frenchies. Or do you thing of them with all
their equipment and camp utensils on their backs? Do you suppose these are men from the company of French
troops that tore up the Union Jack at 455? "M" Co. was at the front that night, several miles in front of the Union
Jack that marked the force headquarters. Why did those French soldiers behave so toward British field command?
You remember them kindly for their comradeship in the fall campaign. "Stand by your American comrades" was
the effective command of good old Major Alebernarde in October.




Pvts. Oslund and Ora Dusseau were also badly wounded, and Pvt. Boysen was cut in the forehead by
flying glass when a shell went through the old station where the men were stationed.
Remember those Royal Scots (most of themn Russian recruits) who came to relieve the French
troops? Fine young fellow that British oflicer who was killed in the trench by the direct hit of a
Bolo shell. Three other casualties they had that morning.
Remember how the Scots began that battle by firing at "the Bolshevik dog patrol" at four
o'clock in the morning. Can see those red flashes in the south now. And then the men huddling behind buildings and woodpiles waiting for the six shells to roar up to us and scatter shrapnel and
whirring jagged pieces of iron.
Remember it was Sgt. Peterson and Corp. Nieman's squad that cleared up the front woods area
with a reconnaisance. Remember that Corp. Nieman did not want his man out on listening post any
longer after Scots got back to the line again. Afraid a jumpy Russki recruit might shoot by mistake
"M" Co. men not accustomed to firing at stumps and dogs and shadows. Remember how literally
Pvt. Senzik obeyed the order "No night firing" when he permitted and afterwards reported two Bolos
to pass out of our lines the first night at 445. They had probably hidden in woodpiles during the
battle.
Remember how the Canadian artillery officer showed us how to build temporary bombproofs at
445. Picture of one appears in the book.
445-it was here that the airplanes dropped the two 112 pound bombs on us by mistake and we
picked up our popular company barber, Floyd Sickles, in a blanket and buried him in the bomb
crater. And Pvt. Lachacke was crippled in the foot for life.
A New Commanding General
With the arrival of General Ironside upon the scene, things began to take on a more sane view.
The advance into the interior of the great Russian forest land with a few hundred troops was seen to
be extremely hazardous. He called a halt on the advances. The French battalion of infantry had
been giving the British officers trouble. So a French Colonel was brought from France to take command of the allied troops on the railroad front. Hence the American troops now came under the
third field headquarters flag, the colors of Col. Lucas.
But previous to his taking over from Col. Sutherland, the American companies were to continue
their shifting around, rapidly.
The Company was relieved by "I" Co. on the 29th at 445 and went to 466 for much needed rest
and to get winter equipment. Snow covered the ground on the 22nd and winter clothing-those
sheepskin overcoats, and so forth, were issued to Sgt. Lietzell by your old friend, Lt. Carpenter,
whose expertness as a company supply officer and whose physical condition too, had made it necessary for himn to be permanently detached from the company for duty as battalion supply officer.
And then on the 24th the company returned to the front line to relieve the French coripany which
had relieved "I" Co. Remember the shelling that day as you were taking over from the French. Remember that night that the Bolo returned the compliment of Capt. Alliez's night firing by opening on
our front line trenches with machine gun fire. And you sat tight and did not scare a little bit.
And it was on this hitch at the front that by order of Col. Gavin we began the blockhouse building. And we stacked the logs up high before the south ends of all our quarters. Here Major Nichols made us acquainted with Major Alebernarde, who came to have so great a liking for the American soldiers. And you knew he was good to his men. The enemy was quiet and probably as busy
working on his winter quarters as we were. So our hitch was lengthened out, and we were relieved on
the 30th by "I" Co.
Remember that Hallowe'en joke the R. T. 0. at Obozerskaya played on us the day we were relieved and were proceeding late at night to our next station? As usual the British order had been a
verbal order and had not been definitely stated to your company commander. He was told to put
his men on the train and let them rest till morning. Another American officer of the battalion sent us
off from 455 expecting that the R. T. 0. at Obzerskaya would shunt our troop cars off on to a siding
there.
He failed and when the copany opened its eyes in the  lorning it saw the village of Isaka
Gorka, far in the rear. Business of trying to mix look of consternation with a look of amusement.


We felt like a thief stealing a day of rest. But we paid dearly for it, as we had to go right back to
Obozerskaya and take over the defenses from the French in the dark.
And the next day Sgt. Gray started off for Bolsheozerke. Blue car was getting windy because of
reported Bolos in vicinity of Onega Road. Sgt. Gray and his men had an easy time with the Bolo
raiders in the village because the Russian peasant woman had presence of mind enough to greatly
exaggerate the numbers of the Amerikansi-whose quality as fighters the Bolo had during the past
month learned to esteem highly.




At this time we sent away the "K" Co. replace ment men to join their company at Seletskoe. And
same day Sgts. Dundon and Grahek and Leitzell and Cook Pavlin, while on a fishing trip with the
Russki guide, were fired upon by a wandering Bolo patrol. Another shiver in the blue car and Lt.
Primm took reinforcements to Bolsheozerke and organized the defenses of that important road junction.
Under French Flag
November fifth finds us back at 455. Now we are under French command and they begin equipping us with automatic rifles and with rifle grenades. British had been stingy about supplying us
with Lewis guns-only one to a platoon. French are liberal. And Maj. Alebernarde promises us
more Lewis guns. Why keep them new and shiny for the Russian troops! Let the Yanks use them
till the Russians have raised their Archangel regiments.
"ARMISTICE DAY" IN RUSSIA
Where was "M" Co. on Armistice Day? Crossing the Dwina River from Bakaritza. Just getting in from the front where we had seen continuous service since Septemer 7th. Major Nichols had
arranged with the new British Cormmanding General to give the Anerican Companies on the Railroad Force short relief at Archangel. Our company, which had been in every advance on the railroad in the fall campaign, was first to draw a vacation.
Remember putting those barracks bags off the ferry boat on the dock, and remember the first introduction to Smolny barracks? No place to cook. Had to bring your field kitchens in. Hey, Cook,
some fritters. Capt. Wade sold us generous lot of flour, eh? Remember the Red Cross interest in our
company?


BLOCKHOUSE IN THE PINE FOREST
Remember the ones we worked on? Cutting the fire lanes? And the ones you occupied in May when the Bolo
celebrated "May Day" by shelling these blockhouses? Remember the warm, snug nights in these blockhouses,
with the big sheet-iron stove in the center. Who has a candle? Here make these pieces into a new one. Where
did that queen of hearts go? Deal 'em up, buddie. Hey, don't kill that canteen! Melt some snow for the gang.
Corp. Neiman says he saw bear tracks on his patrol today. Walking in their sleep, eh? Miss deal. Aw!




CLOSE ORDER DRILL AT SMOLNY
And Col. Stewart ordered close order drill. Think of that Fire Station and the plank platform
and the broad plank roads in the supply compound. It wras not so bad a place to drill. Just right
for a platoon at a time. And one day Gen. Ironside reviewed us. Told us of the fine work done
by "I" Co. on November 4th in defense of 445, but he did not seem to remember that the company he
was reviewing had done anything worthy of note. Men noticed it,4oo. Neither did Col. Stewart, on
the day he visited the company, say a word of encouragement about the work of the company.
THAT ELECTRIC LIGHTED TRAIN
How you hated to give up your taplooshkas which you had fitted up for quarters, to the British
unit that had been weeks at Archangel while we were overworked at the front. But Col. Stewart
raised a fine hope. Company was to send a detail of men to Bakaritza to assist the American Engineer Company to make a protected string of troop taplooshkas for your company. And while they
were at it the engineers "found" a motor-boat motor and rigged up electric lights for the entire train.
You set up your tiny sheet iron stoves, built your three tiers of bunks and were snug, dry, warm and
light for the winter. Some proud company that rode back to the front.
In this short stay at Archangel you learned that it was a half-modern city, with street cars, fire
stations, etc. You learned the price of cigarettes on the streets of the city, how to say "skulka" on
the market to buy at famine prices cabbage and potatoes for the company mess. You learned that all
girls in Russia did not wear boots, that many of them were pretty and dressed daintily, and coyly
attracted the attention of the American dougtboys. You saw prosperous-looking men and women
of intellectual and cultured appearance. You heard the chimes of many cathedrals. You saw the
sawmills of the greatest lumber market in the world. Stately public buildings vied with the cathed
rals in their imposing architecture. It was so different from the Russia you had seen at the Obozerskava front.
You visited your comrades in the hospitals, received books and records and gramaphone from
the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A., enjoyed entertainment given at the Y, accumulated a thousand rumors
about the expedition, and went back to the front rested and cheered. Remember we had to go on
the ice-breaker from Smolny to Archangel Preestin and march down to Bakaritza. Winter was on.
On the 23rd we were back with the French at 455. Remember Col. Lucas broke up our lighted
train for us. He had ideas of his own about the train quartering proposition. Mechanic Silvernail
sure was some electrician.
Thanksgiving Day in Russia
On the 28th we celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Major Nichols and Major Albernarde, Major
Moodie spoke briefly. Miss Ogden of the Y. M. C. A. read President Wilson's Thanksgiving Proclamation. We had roast beef at 455 and the platoon at 448 had Rabchik, the latter bought for us by Lt.
Carpenter, at expense of the American Red Cross.
Then we put in an eight-day hitch at the front line. The French relief was a day late in reaching us. On the sixth day of December occurred the regrettable accident that cost us the life of Floyd
Sickles, our very popular company barber. The story of it is told elsewhere in the Company Diary.
We went to outpost duty at Obozerskava and Bolsheozerke.
TO A THREATENED SECTOR
Then came the order out of clear sky that "M" Co. would move to another sector, the Pinega
River valley. We did not understand it, but later learned that with the freezing up of the streams
and marshes the Bolshevik army had been able to thrust a superior force down the Pinega valley and
was seriously threatening the small force of Americans and Russian volunteers holding the city of
Pinega and the lower valley. So "M" Co. was picked to make the long 150-mile march to the relief.
On the 11th of December the company was divided into two halves, the 1st and 4th platoons with
Company Headquarters Lts. Stoner and Wright went with Capt. Moore to Archangel to prepare for
the hike to Pinega. The 2nd and 3rd platoons, Lts. Primm and Wieczorek remained with Lt. Donovan at Obozersakaya and were to follow soon. This half of the company was slated for the advance
on all fronts planned for the last of December but called off by British Command at the last minute
-plans a-rye.
The story of the week of preparations at Archangel is told in the Company Qiary. Somehow the


rumors that flew around made the march look somewhat hazardous. The shortest days of the year
and the longest nights were upon us. British GHQ granted every request for equipment and supplies
except Lewis guns. (Remember you "found" four at Bakaritza in the car that had come up from the
wreck at the front, and we took those with us to Pinega.) Capt. Marshall, the veteran transport officer from the Flanders front, came with his sixty Russian sleighs to load us up. But you put many
things on the transport that he never dreamed were on it. Nor your own officers knew about, probably, for that matter.




March to Pinega
One of the most memorable events in the history of our company in Russia was the march from
Archangel to Pinega, 150 miles in dead of winter. The 1st and 4th platoons made the forced march
December 18th to 27th, inclusive. We were hurrying to the relief of Capt. Conway's two platoons of
"G" Co.
Two weeks later the 2nd and 3rd platoons came through the same march even faster, although
it was 40 degrees below zero on three days, for you thought the other half of the company was in immediate danger of extermination.
Remember the last instructions for the march given in the old Smolny barracks? We march tomorrow on Pinega. Many versts but not all in one day. We shall quarter at night in villages, some
friendily, some hostile. We may meet enemy troops. We march one platoon ahead, one behind, the
60-sleigh convoy. Alert advance and rear parties to protect the column from surprise.
Ours is a two-fold mission. First to reinforce a half of "G" Co. which is now outnumbered ten
to one. Second, to raise a regiment of loyal Russian troops in the great Pinega valley where half
the people are loyal and half are Bolo sympathizers. We hold the balance of power. Hold up your
chins and push out your chests and bear your arms proudly when passing among the Russian people. You represent the Nation that was slow to wrath but irresistible in might when its soldiers hit
the Hindenburg line. Make Russians respect your military bearing. These people will soon hear that
it is the noted "M" Co. from the Railway Front. The loyal will breathe more freely because you
have come. The treacherous Bol sympathizers will be compelled to wipe off their scowls and will
fear to try any dirty work.
And further, just as important, remember not only to bear yourselves as soldiers of a powerful
people, but bear yourselves as men of a courteous, generous, sympathetic, chivalrous people. Treat
these simple people right and you win their devoted friendship. Respect their oddities. Do not
laugh at them as do untactful British. Molest no man's property except of military necessity. You
will discover likable traits in the character of these Russians. Here, as everywhere in the world, in
spite of differences of language and customs of dress and work and play and eating and housing, etc.,
strangers among foreign people will find that in the essentials of life folks is folks.
You will wear your American field shoes and galoshes in preference to the clumsy and slippery
bottomed Shackleton Boot. Overcoats will be piled loose on top of sleighs so as to be available when
LONG, LONG MARCH TO PINEGA


Does this picture remind you of the long trail to Pinega? Patient ponies and stolid drivers. Queer-looking
harness. Admirable sleds-the "sahnias." Couldn't they endure rough roads?
Remember the half-moon, half chirrip of the drivers-"Ugh-chee-chy! ugh-chee-chy!" What skill the driver
showed-not. Yet somehow we felt that between him and his scrubby pony there was an efficient working understanding. They came through.
In another picture is a typical travel scene. Note the sleigh is built different. This might be Uzinga or
Soyla but it is not. It is some village up the Vaga River and the passenger is Colonel Stewart. He never came to
Pinega.
Here are the windmills. Idle last winter. Early frost, no crops. Remember them? Haystacks along the
Pinega River, wood piles and windmills were evidences of the prosperity of the region which made Pinega the old
time trade center.




delay is long. Canteens will be filled each evening at Co. G-I can. Drink no water in villager's
home. You may buy milk. Everyone must protect his health. We have no medical man and only
a limited supply of number nines.
Tomorrow at noon we march. Prepare carefully and cheerfully.
The following account of the march is copied from the daily story written in Capt. Moore's field
message book:
DECEMBER 18
After the usual delay with sleigh drivers, with shoutings and brrs and shoving and pullings, the
convoy was off at 11:55 a. mn., December 18. The trail was an improved government road. The sun
was on our right hand but very low. The fire station of Smolny at last droped out of the rearward
view. The road ran crooked, like the Dwina along whose hilly banks it wound. A treat to our boys
to see rolling, cleared country. Fish towns and lumber towns on the right. Hay stacks and fields on
the left, backed by forests. Here the trail is bareswept by the wind from across the river. Again it
is snow blown and men and ponies slacken speed in the drifts. Early sets the sun, but the white
snow affords us light enough. The point is out of sight in front, the rear party is lost behind the
curve. Tiny specks on the ice below and distant are interpreted to be sledges bound for some river
port. Nets are exposed to the air and wait now for June suns to move out the fetters of ice. Decent
looking houses and people now face the strange cavalcade as it passes village after village. It is a
new aspect of Russia to the Americans who for many weeks have been in the woods along the Vologda railroad.
Well, halting is a wonderful performance. The headman, "starosta," must be hunted up to
quarter officers and men. He is not sure about the drivers. Perhaps he fears for the neat haystacks
in his yard. We cannot wait. In we go, and Buffalo Bill's men never had anything on these Russki
drivers. But it all works out. "Te deunms" for army sergeants. American soldiers are quick to pull
things through anyway. Without friction we get all in order. Guard is mounted over the sleighs.
Now we find out that Mr. Poole was right in talking about "friendly Russians." Our lowly hosts
treat us royally. Tea from the samovar steams us a welcone. It is a clean home that officers find
themselves in. Clean clothing, clean floors. Oil lamps. Pictures on the walls.
TO LIAVLYA-SECOND DAY, DECEMBER 19
Crawled out of our sheepskin sleeping bags about 6 o'clock, well rested. Breakfasted on bacon
and bread and coffee. Gave the host 3 roubles apiece, personal. Gave Headman 10 roubles. Every
soldier reported very hospitable treatment. Tea for all. Milk for many. Some delay caused by the
sledge drivers who joined us late at night from Bakaritza with oats.
Left at 8:40. Lt. Wright, 1st Sgt. Dundon, Cooks Pavlin and Johnson travelling ahead of the
point to get dinner arranged. Marching hard. Cold sleet from Southeast with drifting snow. The
Shackelton boot tricky. Men find it hard to navigate. Road very hilly. Cross this inlet here. Down
the long hill and up a winding hill to the crest again which overhands the stream that soon empties
into the big Dwina. To the left on the ice locked beach are two scows.
It is warmer now for the road winds between the pines on both sides. The snow ceases gradually but we do not see the least brightness in the sky to show location of Old Sol. We are making
4 versts an hour in spite of the hills and the cumbrous boots. The drivers are keeping up well.
Only once is the advance party able to look back to the rear guard, the caravan being extended Inore
than a verst. Here is another steep hill. See the crazy Russki driver give his pony his head to dash
down the incline. Disaster hangs in a dizzy balance as he whirls round and round and the heavily
loaded sled pulls horse backwards down the hill.
Now we meet a larger party of dressed-up folks going to church. It is holy day for Saint Nicholas. The long hill leading into Liablskaya is a good tester for courage. Some of the men are
playing out-eight versts more will be tough marching. Here is the billeting officer, Lt. Wright, to
tell us that the eight versts is a mistake-it is 19 instead. No one is sorry to stop. There is the blazing cook's fire and dinner will be ready soon.
It is only 12:15 but it seems nearly night. Men are quickly assigned to quarters by the one-eyed
old headman, Kardacnkov, who marks the building and then goes in to anounce to the householder
that so many Amerikanski soldats will sleep there. Twenty-five minutes later the rear guard is in.
Our host comes quickly with samovar of hot water and a pot of tea. He is a clerical man from Archangel, a soldier from the Caucasus. With our M.and V. we have fresh milk.
It is dark before 3:00 p. m. We need a lamp. All the men are well quartered and are trying to


dry their shoes. Lt. Wright and I find the Platoon Sgts. of Stoner's platoon in a fine home. A bos'n
of a Russian vessel is home on leave. We must sit in their party and drink a hop-ferment substitute
for beer. Their coffee and cakes are delicious and we hold converse on the political situation.
"American soldiers are here to stop the war and give Russia peace" is our message. In another room
we find a war prisoner from Germany. Back less than week from Petrograd front. He had come
round the Bolshevik lines on the Vologda R. R. He says the B government is on its last legs at
Petrograd.




THIRD DAY, DECEMBER 20-TO KOSKOGAR, 19 VERSTS
Oh, you silvery moon, are you interested in that bugle call? It is telling our men to come to
breakfast at once-6:45, for the start for Koskogar at 8:00 a. m. or before. The start is made at 7:45.
Road is fine —well beaten yesterday by marketing convoys and by Russians bound for church to celebrate Saint Nick's Day. Between the pines our road winds.
Not a breath of air has stirred since the fine snow came in the night and "ridged each twig inch
deep with pearl." What a sight it would have been if the sun had come up! Wisconsin, we think of
you as we traverse these bluffs. You tenth verst, you break a beautiful scene on us with your trail
across the valley. You courageous little pony, you deserve to eat all that hay you are lugging up that
hill. Your load is not any worse than that of the pony behind who hauls a giant log on two sleds.
You deserve better treatncent, Loshad. When Russia grows up to an educated nation, animal power
will be conserved.
Here we see the prmitive saw mill. Perched high on a pair of horses is a great log. Up and
down cuts the long toothed saw. Up pulls the man on top. Down draws the man on the ground.
Something is lacking it is the snap-ring that we so remember from boyhood wood-cutting days in
Michigan.
Here we are back to the river again and another picturesque scene with its formidable hill,
verst 18th. But we get on fast for the end is in sight. The windmill tells us a considerable village
is near. We arrive and stop on the top of the hill in the home of a merchant-peasant, Lopatkin. A
fine home. House plants and a big clock and a gramaphone. It is cold, for the Russian stove has not
been fired since morning. Great economy of fuel in a land of wood.
TO KHOLMOGARO-FOURTH DAY, DECEMBER 21
Harbinger of hope, oh you red sky line! Shall we see the sun today? It is 8:00 a. ml and from
our hill top the wide, red horizon in the south affords a wonderful scene. In the distance headlands
on the Dwina cut bold figures into the red. Far, far away stretches the flat river. Now we are
safely down the long, steep hill and assembled on the river. Sgt. Getzloff narrowly escapes death
from a reckless civilian's pony and sleigh. We crawl along the cast shore for a verst and then cross
squarely to the other side, facing a cold, harsh wind.
What a wonderful subject for a picture! Tall pines-tallest we have yet seen in Russia —on the
island lift their huge trunks against the red, the broad, red band on the skyline. And now, too, the
upland village joins itself to the scene. The going is drifty and sternly cold. Broad areas allow the
biting wind full sweep. Ears are covered and hands are thrashed. That barber pole there may be a
verst post. Sure enough, and 5 it says; 16 to go. Look now for the barber poles. We are too late to
get a glimpse of the sun. Red is the horizon yet, but the sun has risen behind a cloud screen.
The advance guard has outwalked the convoy and while ponies toil up the hill, we seek shelter
in the lee of a house to rest, to smoke. The convoy at last comes up. One animal has a ball of ice on
his foot. We make the drivers rest their ponies and look after their feet. Ten minutes and then on.
It is desperate cold. A driver's ears are tipped with white. The bugler's nose is frozen on the
windward side. Everyone with yarn mittens only is busy keeping fingers from freezing. Here it is
good going for the long, straight road is flanked by woods that protect road from drifts and traveller
from icy blasts. This road ends in a half mile of drifts before a town on the bank of a tributary to
the Dwina. We descend to the river.
A steamboat is fast frozen in the ice. So there you are till the spring break-up frees you and then
yout will steam up andl (down the river with logs and lumber and hemp and iron and glass and soldiers, perhaps. But no Aimericans, I hope. What is this train that has come through our point?
Bolshevik? Those uniforms of the Russki M. P.'s are alarmingly like those we have been shooting
at. Go on with your prisoners.


One of the Rare Open Stretches of Country.




Now it is noon. The sun is only a hand high in the sky. The day has grown grey and colder.
Or is it lack of food that makes us more suscept le to winter's blasts? A bit of hard tack now during this rest while we admire the enduring red of the sky. We are nearing our objective. For several versts we have skirted the edge of the river and watched the spires and domes of the city
come nearer to us. We wind into the old river town and pass on for a verst and a half to an old
monastery where we find quarters in a subsidiary building which once was an orphan's home. The
old women are very kind and hospitable. 'The rooms are clean and airy and warm.
FIFTH DAY, DECEMBER 22-AT MONASTERY
We spend the day at rest. Men are contented to lie on the warm floors and ease their feet and
ankles. We draw our rations of food, forage, and cigarettes. It is bitter cold and we dread the morrow.
SIXTH DAY, DECEMBER 23-TO UST PINEGA
Zero is here on the edge of a cutting wind. But we dash around and reorganize our convoy.
Five sleds and company property are left at the Monastery in charge of two privates who are not
fit to march. Five horses are unfit to go. Lt. Stoner leaves about 8:00 a. m. The convoy starts at
8:40. Along the river's edge we move. A big 12 verst horseshoe takes us till noon. Men suffer from
cold but do not complain. To put up in the village. People are friendly. Officers are quartered with
a good-natured peasant. Call up Conway on long distance phone. He will try to get sleighs for us to
meet us 40 versts away. Maj. Williams, Red Cross, came in to see me after I had gone to bed. On his
way to Pinega.
SEVENTH DAY, DECEMBER 24 —TO VERKHNE PALENGA
At breakfast, telegram came from Conway promising 100 horses and Christmas dinners. Get
away at 7:50 a. m. The lane is full of snow but the winding road through the pines is a wonderfully
fine road. For 13 versts there is hardly a drift. The hills are very moderate. Wood haulers are
dotting the river. Stores are evidently collecting for scow transport in the summer. No, we do not
take the ice. Keep on the left, along the river. This hill is not so bad. We lose our point on a
tortuous road, but find that we have avoided a ravine.
The 14th verst takes us across the river-follow the telephone wires there. Come back, you
point, and take the road to the left that climbs that steep bluff yonder. What a sight from tops, the
whole convoy lies extended from advance guard on the hill to rear guard on the river. Up and down
hill our winding, pine-flanked road takes us. It is hard going but the goal is only a few versts
away. Now we are in sight of the village and see many little fields. Suffering cats! See that ravine.
This town is in two parts. Hospitable is the true word. Men turn out and cut notches in the ice to
help the ponies draw the sleds up the hill. It is some show. Several of the ponies are barely able
to make the grade. The big man of the village is Sikoff (Cukov). We stay in his home-fine home.
Headman Zelemian comes to see me. Opened our Red Cross Christmas stockings.
EIGHTH DAY, DECEMBER 25-TO LEUNOVA
Up at 6:00 for a Merry Christmas march. Away at 8:05. Good road for 13 versts, to Uzinga.
Here we stop and call for the Headman who gets his men to help us down the hill to the river. Not
cold. Holes in the river for washing clothes. Lt. Stoner reported seeing women actually washing
clothes. Found out what the high fences are for. Hang their flax up to dry. The 24th verst into
Leunova is a hard drag. Quarters are soon found. People rather luke-warm. Forester, Polish man,
who lives in house apart at north end of village, tells sme there are Bolsheviki sympathizers in the
town. Also that Ostrov and Kuzomen are affected similarly. Gave householder 10 roubles for milk
and services.
NINTH DAY, DECEMBER 26-TO GBACH
Delay in starting due to necessity for telephoning to Capt. C. in regard to rations and sleighs.
Some error in calculations. They had sleighs waiting us at Gbach this morning instead of Friday
morning. Snow falling as we start on the river road at 8:25. We find it "glada" (level) nearly all
the way but drifty and hard walking. Nevertheless we arrive at end our 21 verst march at 1:25.
Met by friendly villagers and well quartered. These people need phone and a guard the same as at
Verkne Palenga. Find that people here view the villages of Ostrov and Kuzomen with distrust. A


prominent general, Kulikov of the Bolo army, hails from one of those villages. Spent an hour with
the village schoolmaster. Had a big audience of men and boys. Sgt. Young and interpreter came
through from Pinega to untangle the sleigh situation. We find that it is all set here for an early
start with 100 sleighs. Capt. Marshall, Lt. Stoner, Lt. Wright, Stepnavski, all desperately sick. Gave
woman 20 roubles for wood used in cooking with field range. "G" Co. men came with rations.
TENTH DAY, DECEMBER 27-TO PINEGA
Hard to get up this morning. Horses and sleighs came early as promised. Ten roubles for milk,
etc. Put one man and his barrack bag and equipment into each sleigh and in many sleighs added a




light piece of freight. Got away at 9:00 a. m. Nice day for driving. The Russian sleigh runs smoothly
and takes the bumps gracefully. It is mild. Light ball-snow falls. Much hay cut along this valley.
We meet Maj. Williams, who passes out cigarettes to all the men. Arrive at Soyla at noon. The 100
horses left here yesterday and the Headman goes out to get them for us to go on this evening. Seventeen sleighs got away at 3:00 p. m.; 25 more at 7:00 p. m.. Gave woman 20 roubles for wood used
by field range. Gave 10 roubles for milk.
At 9:30 we got away with the remainder of company. Have a good sleigh and can sleep. Here
is Yural, and I must awake and telephone to Pinega to Capt. Conway. Lt. Higgins responds. Loafer
in telegraph office informs us of the battle today resulting in rout of the volunteers. It is desperately
cold. Not much more sleeping. The river road is bleak. In the frosty night the hulks of boats
and the bluffs of Pinega loom large. We arrive at last 3:00 a. m.
PINEGA
How often after a patrol our eyes swept the horizon to find the towers of the cathedral. There it was, white of
the universal white, except for its gold-starred blue dome.
The old photographer-he was bookkeeper at Valodian's saw mill-took this picture the summer before we
went to Russia. To Roleau, the captain's resourceful orderly, the old Russki, gave a boxful of plates. This is a
view of the main street of Pinega.
This was when in winter it was lined with traders come from Mezen and Petchora and other points "mnoga
versti" away. There is the building where you drew rations for the company. Beyond is the white mansion of
old Valodian which we used for Am. Hq. Far down the street is the technical high school where you made your
company quarters. Down this street raced the reindeer sleds, pony sleds and horsemen. Up this street came long
trains of supplies.
The company may well remember Pinega, its hospitable people and the patient, amiable, friendly villagers
of the valley with pleasure. "Amerikanski dobrah."
Defense of Pinega
DECEMBER 28, 1918, TO MARCH 4, 1919
For their part played in the defense of the city of Pinega and the lower valley of the Pinega, a
sector of the defense the loss of which would have seriously threatened the line of communications up
the Dwina where the first battalion of Americans were furthest south, our company gained the admiration of the British and Russian CHQ. Capt. Conway and two platoons of "G" Co. were with
us and should share in the credit for holding the area as big as the northern peninsula of Michigan.
Lt. Sheridan, with one platoon of "F" Co., was also with us for a couple of weeks while we had only
one-half the company with us.


Details of the days may be read in the diary. The purposes of the Americans in Pinega have already been told. Suffice it to say that the conduct of the men of "M" Co. in that region was a source
of respect and confidence to the Russians and of pride to the officers of the company. Not a single
complaint ever came to command headquarters about the actions of the American soldiers. I remember how pleased I was to learn that the men had taken up a collection to pay for the repair of a
tank in the bath house which someone had burned out. I heard of the collection which the third battalion took up at Soyla for the orphans made there in a small engagement at Pochezero. I saw American soldiers petting Russian children and cutting their hair. I knew you were using an awful lot of




Iodine at those outposts of yours, Sgt. Zapfe and Sgt. Magin. And the day that I helped old Capt.Doc Laird to put the old lady's arm back in joint I could have sworn she had been given generously
of your store of number nines.
What a lot of marching and maneuvering you did in those nine weeks! It was not so bad on the
feet with those loyal Russian sleigh drivers to transport you. You were here today and gone tomorrow. Multiplied yourselves by the activity of your movenents. Will you ever forget your three day
movement up the Pinega valley in the operation we undertook to force the Bolo out of his stronghold at Trufanagora? The first platoon guarded the rear and the flank from attack by the Bolo at
Vichtova, while the fourth platoon went with headquarters and artillery to Priluki. Do you remember the sled trail on the river itself, the steep bluffs of rock, on the summits of which were the fringes
of dark pines through which moved the most brilliant stars you ever saw? Do you remember what
a sight it was to see all those sleighs massed up there at Revpoli while we waited to see what the
advance party of Russians was doing to push off the Bolos disputing our possession of the trail at
Toromskaya?
Do you remember the artillery work of our Russian section of 75's? Some of you were with Corporal Russell on the other side of the river guarding against surprise of enemy attack on our artillery position and you sawn much of the attack of the Volunteer companies under our Russian ally,
Captain Akutin. You came to respect him as a real commanding officer and he was pleased to exchange salutes with you and mentioned the matter to me. Those Russian soldiers made good. They
wanted to be in the front and did not want the Americans to fight their battles for them. Remember
the two hospitals full of their wounded after that day's fight and after the succeeding days in which
the Bolo came on in his drive at us? While you were with the Russians in those days they never
needed you to take the casualty duty. Company horseshoe was on the job.
Do you remember the luck you played in when you suported the artillery at Pelegorskaya? Not
a casualty. What a queer day that was!. How would you like to be that Russian company at
Chertkova? They held out, and the day's work that had been planned for the fourth platoon went
undone. The fourth will not soon forget that day's march they took to reach the supposed flanks of
the advancing Bolo. Possibly it was the discovery of the threat on their flank that had something to
do with the sudden retreat of the enemy to his bcse at Trufanagora. Anyway he went, and Pinega's
defenders breathed easy again.
In Pinega you saw the coldest weather in your life-52 degrees below the zero mark. Many a day
your guard tricks were less than half an hour. You learned how to handle the Vickers machine
gun and the Colt. You drilled on the streets and square of Pinega to encourage the hundreds of
Russian recruits who were drilling, "Shast, dva, drie, shast, dva, drie." Hear that peculiar marching chant of theirs, and see that new way of doing squads right.
Do you remember the procession from the cathedral to the monastery on their Christmas day,
which was thirteen days after ours? All the first platoon will remember the trip we made to the
300-year-old monastery perched high up there on the hill overlooking the Pinega River.
Did you have any trouble keeping the crowd away from the fire the night of January 4th when
your barracks burned? Not hardly any. The grenades bursting in that building drove all but the
fire fighters away. Do you recollect the primitive fire equipment of the citizens? But they made
good with those hand pumps and the drivers kept a steady string of water barrels coming up from
the river. You remember it was Pvt. Sapp who was killed later at Bolsheozerke road, who distinguished himself fighting the fire that night.
You remember the local Russian Red Cross entertainment in their community entertainment
house. That drama-four hours long. Those husky artillery wrestlers who pulled tacks out of their
anatomy so nonchalantly. Those small city ballet dancers of Pinega. And the folk dancing and the
Russki eats afterward.
Some of you remember that cold dawn when just at sunrise, according to Russian military law,
a young Russian officer faced a firing squad of his own men backed by American soldiers, because
he had deserted his own troops in time of battle. And you remember about the two spies that were
sent to Archangel "by water" the night that our doughty little Russian, Lt. Mazalevski, was shot in
ambush by spies.
You remember the fire you had in the high school building that you used as barracks. And
those were some bunks that you made for yourselves. From the top of the flag pole floated your


colors every day, raised and lowered according to army regulations. On this front we were under
our own colors.
In Pinega you saw a people change from a worried populace to a confident, cheerful one. The
wretched, dispirited 300 White Guards who were so badly defeated the day we were arriving in
Pinega in December, had gained confidence in themselves, they were over 1500 strong, had a section
of efficient artillery, had an efficient machine gur company which had been trained by Lt. Wright,
and had over 600 recruits in training. And all had been accomplished with very little friction. The




Russian civil authorities had not been deprived of scarcely an essential political activity, the military development of the Russian defenders of Pinega had proceeded along strictly Russian lines.
And the American soldiers could call their job done and go.
In fact, the need of American troops on other fronts was so urgent that early in March "M" Co.
was recalled to Archangel to be available for duty up the Dwina River. The company left Pinega
with many regrets, for it had come to be like home to them. The people of Pinega sent the company
away with blessings.
The Company Diary tells of the return mnarch to Archangel, which was accomplished by sleigh.


4,                  k
I:                          I  II               2    ,


w "


Captain Moore and Captain Conway, Ready for a Ride Around the Pinega Outposts or to Visit One of the Many
Nearby Villages.
Guarding Smolny
During the several days that intervene between the Pinega front and the new Bolsheozerke front
the company was at rest in Smolny. Of course, rumors were rife at Archangel and Smolny and the
gloom was thick enough to cut. All the fronts were going to cave in because of Bolo pressure. A
great Bolo sympathetic strike and riot was imminent. The electric light station at Smolny would be
an object of attack, etc., etc. How sick we got of that stuff. And the battalion mess. Bet the commanding officer never knew that "M" Co.'s field range was doing duty, supplementing that mess.
Then came the special duty of "M" Co. outposting and patrolling Smolny. And one night fire
destroyed the guardhouse and the barracks of "I" Co. Stone, the Y. M. C. A. man, was trying to make
things agreeable for the men. But the Hostess House of the Y. W. C. A. was the favorite place of
entertainment. Miss Taylor and Miss Dunham and Miss Ogden and Miss McDonald helped to make
the hours pleasant.
This started out to be a story of guarding Smolny. What was the Battle of Smolny? Why, conquering the cooties, I guess.
TO ANOTHER FRONT
Our company was scheduled to go up the Dwina to aid the hard pressed Americans in that sector. But activities of the Bolshevik army of the North changed plans somewhat. The French with
Russian supports were holding the Vologda Railway front during the month of March. Col. Lucas
in November had been warned of the winter trail that leads from Empsa to Bolsheozerke, and he




had been alive to the possibilities of a Bolo smash through at that time, but the inactivity for two
months had dimmed the dread of that flank, till one day his forces at Bolsheozerke were surprised
and destroyed.
The enemy had made a long flank march of over 60 versts froIn his concentration camp at Shelaxa and taken the key to our overland communications with the Murmansk, only outside communications we had, and had rapidly concentrated artillery and infantry forces. This operation was
said to be under the direction of no less a renowned old Russian officer than General Kuropatkin.
"H" Co. with Polish and British troops promptly brought pressure to bear from the Onega side
and gave battle twice to the Bolos. On our side General Ironside called out "E" Co. and a company
of Archangel troops and a half-comnpany of Yorks, to mIove out on the Onega road from Oberzaskaya
and attack the Bolos from the east side. This attack failed as the snow was too deep for "E" Co. to
get into position till after the Bolo had repulsed "H" Co.'s attack and had thrown the Yorks and
Archangels into confusion at Verst 18 by a well-dlirected artillery barrage laid on the road.
Then came the hurry-up call for the outfit that had been intended for service up the river. "M
" Co. pulled out of Smolny at 4:30 p. n. on the 27th of March and had relieved "E" Co. before 3:30 of
the next day. Who will ever forget that tented camp we went into that day? Not much had been
done. Paths had not been shovelled to the outposts. In a day or two-lucky the Bolo gave us the
chance-we had the positions consolidated. Barricades up at every post. Engineers built us two
blockhouses on the road nearest to the enemy line.


Is
I,...A! /1S7


I   4
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I                                                                     -,1


VERST 18, BOLSHEOZERKE ROAD CAMP
Our friends, 310th Engineers. Guess you remember this camp, all right. How can it be described? Do you
feel yourself floundering in five feet of snow? Hear the "big six" bellowing at the Bolo or the 75s barking furiously Hear those "pineapples" that Sergeant Getzloff talked about? Do you see the "dud" that hit the tree behind
which Cook Hines took refuge?
Hear old Joe bossing the job of replenishing his fire? Who won the money on the tree-falling job? Adams
did.
Remember that grim feeling when you learned we were surrounded and no where to go? Your calm courage
and your good use of your rifles and Lewis guns and rifle grenades are cherished memories. Your physical endurance and your moral courage and company spirit there stood the big test. You came through again with the
goods and with the company horseshoe.




Three Days' Attack By Bolo
Then came the three days' continuous attack by the enemy in his determined attempt to gain
possession of the road so as to be able to move his artillery over to attack Oberskaya and thus complete his flanking operation. He used three regiments for this attack: The 2nd Moscow, whose commanding officer we took prisoner the first day's fight, March 31; the 97th Saratov regiment, whose
commanding officer was shot from his white horse on the second day's fight, whose sword was taken
and presented by the fourth platoon to the commanding officer of the company. The third regiment
in the attack was the 2nd Kasan regiment.
The first day's fight began with a surprise attack on the rear, where we had a pair of Russian
75's. This attack was repulsed by the direct fire of the artillery using muzzle burst shrapnel and by
the good work of Corp. Pratt's Lewis gun team which engaged the enemy machine guns. The enemy
succeeded in ambushing Sgt. Leitzell and Freeman Hogan and Mechanics Dial and Laursen. Brave,
courteous, gentle Dial was shot through the head. The other three were taken prisoners, along with
Mr. Ryal, the popular Y. M. C. A. nman who had been helping Frank OlInstead serve the mnen in
their tent in camp.                                                                  I
Meanwhile the enemy also attacked in heavy force at the front but was repulsed here also by
the first platoon. The third had been at the rear. American soldiers could not say praises enough
for the excellent artillery barrage defense given at the front and rear when the enemy attacked.
Our communications were cut in the rear and it looked as if we would be in it when our ammunition gave out. But we had good supply and by the stories of prisoners we took and from what we
could see before our lines, the men were using their arms to good effect.
The second day's fight began at daybreak, which was at 3:30, with a imass attack on the fou!rth
platoon which was holding the west front line. Here he came on three times in determined assault
and came up to within 200 yards of the barricade in the road and in good shooting distance of the
blockhouses. Here on this day the "gold brickers proved to be good mettle, good metal, and Corporal Russell's defense of the forward blockhouse was reported to General Richardson for award.
Corp. Schwabe and Pvt. Earl J. Smith also stood out prominently that day, as did Sgt. Grahek when
he stood on the barricade and searched the stumpy foreground with his field glasses looking for the
snipers who had crawled up after the repulse of the main attacks, and then called for a Lewis gun
and steadying it against the telephone pole got the snipers.
The attack in the rear this day was as futile as it had been the first day's fight. And conmmunications were resumed with Obozerskaya. Our dead and wounded lwere evacuated to base. Corp.
Frank Sapp and Pvt. Cook were killed in action at the front line. Scores of enemy wounded and
dead lay in close range of our guns. Eight prisoners were taken, from whom information was gained
that the enemy was suffering severely from our fire and from the exposure in the snow. There was
a disposition to make another big attack on our lines the next day.
The third day's fight was soon over. The enemy was repulsed. His artillery put over gas shells
among the rest of the "pineapples" that he sent. The second platoon came through the barrage
miraculously. Their barricade was blown up by a shell and the only casualty was the shell shock
suffered by Corp. Ryduchowski. On each of two other posts a man was shell shocked-Pvt. Manders and Pvt. Nichols.
Two more days we held the position, with only occasional firing, but no attempt by the enemy
to renew the assault. He had given it up. "H" Co. had gallantly come to our assistance the third day
by attacking the enemy on the west side.. From information gained afterwards when the bolo retired from Bolsheozerke, he suffered very heavy loses. He came into the area with 7,000 troops.
All told he lost in killed, wounded and frostbitten nearly 2,000 men. Because he could not budge the
Allied forces that blocked his road to the railway his flanking operation that started so brilliantly
was a failure.
Remember that General Ironside telephoned his thanks to "M" Co. for the gallant work of the
three days. Remember that old Joe Pavlin got so had because the Bolo kept making him put his
steel helmet and rifle on that we saw him one day messing around with gun on his shoulder and steel
helmet on. Cook Hines, who had lost his helmet on the troop train, worked with one eye watching
to see that nobody occupied his tree shelter. Remember that John Friday, our Russian recruit from
Pinega, with Cook Zech and Pvt. Stepnavski had to drop their chow one time right in the road and
take to the nearest firing line and get into the scrap. Remnember that Sgt. Page got caught in a simi

lar way. Remember how we hated to have the new Archangel company fire at night for we had
practically "stood to" all the previous night waiting for the grand assault that soon petered out. How
we did hate jumpy soldiers that fired at everything.
Who does not remember the march back to Obozerskava the night we were relieved from our
eight days' hitch? Somebody stole a jug of rum from the Russkis for we had had no rum issued for
many weeks, not since the cold morning at 445 when. the "liquid barbed wire" proved itself no friend
to the soldier.




And the next morning those pictures were taken before you had time to shave and clean up.
Elsewhere you will find the picture of the company admiring the big sword and a picture of Lt. Donovan and( Pvts. Jensen and Jondro, the three hoboiest-looking lmembers of the outfit. But the outfit
was happy. They were back again on the Railroad Force under Major Nichols.


THE "BOLSHOI SABLA"
Obozerskaya, April 5, 1919. Some happy company exhibiting the big sword taken in battle from the body of
the commanding officer of the 97th Saratov regiment. Regiment attacked April 1st. Fourth platoon held the
front posts. The "gold brickers" won their spurs that long, long day. Did the enemy commander think his
men had won the field? Why did he expose himself on his white horse? Who held the Lewis gun on him till he
turned to flee? Sergeant Huston. Who proposed giving the big sword to the company commander as a trophy?
Sgt. Gray, platoon sergeant of the battling fourth platoon.
Back on the Railroad Force
Next day after we had returned to Ohozerskaya we were greatly relieved to learn from Fathler
Roach, the iBritish Chaplain who had been captured at the same time that our men were captured
and who had been given his freedomn by the Bolos, that Sgt. Leitzell, Mechanic Laursen, and Pvt.
Hogan were not killed by the l3olos but were with Mr. Ryal en route as prisoners of war to Moscow.
All were well. Later through the efforts of an American newrspaper reporter in Moscow they were
all allowed to go free and returned to America via Moscow and Brest. In another place will be found
Sgt. Leitzell's and Mechanic Laursen's stories of their capture.
Soon we had another troop train equipped and the comlpany moved to the old camnp ground, 466.
There we were on Palm Sunday when Father Landowski came to visit the company. And that week
the snow gradually slipped away. What zest the men had in their practice daily with all arms. But
the Russian rifle was too poor a weapon for accurate shooting. The old white "snowshoe rabbit"
had many close calls but lived to scoff at the Yank marksmen who had tried to get him. One night he
came up near to the barricade. But that was the night after the fatal accident. And you remember
that no shot was heard at 466 after the death of Corporal Russell, the 19th of April. The next day
was a sad Easter for us. Chaplain Watkins was with us but the anticipated gladness of the day had
been blasted.




Then we moved to 455 and enjoyed the coming of spring, cleaned up the area, began breaking in
the Russians to man the blockhouses, at every hour of the lday made calculations over and over as to
the probable date of the opening of the Dwina and the White Sea with its fifteen feet of ice.
UNDER FIRE IN MAY AT OLD FRONT 445
On the 20th the conmpany went forward for the last hitch at the old front line. Each platoon had
a platoon of Russian Archangel troops to break in at the posts at 448, 446, and two at 445. The ten
(lays went by with no more serious incident that almost daily artillery duels and one or two raids by
the Bolos on our position with the compliment re-turned to them. It was (luring this hitch that an
exchaite of prisoners was effected. And during this time that on May 5th General Richardson and
a representative of the French army visited us at 455 and the French decorations were formally
awarded to the company. On the 8th of May the company turned the defenses over to the Russians.
Major Nichols had already turned over his command of the 455 sector to our old friend Capt. Akutin
who had been promoted to Colonelcy in the Russian army. We moved back to Obozerskaya.
The rest of the story at Obozerskava is that of a good-feeling outfit getting equipment cleaned
up and ready for evacuation to the base. One of the pleasant memories is that of the words of appreciation spoken to the company by General Turner when lie reviewel the company the day before
our departure for Economic. Remember, also, the pow-wow the evening of our departure when Acting Cook Roy Fisher was presented with the big lead M. & V. medal? The boys at 445 had made it
of shrapnel balls picked up on the field. That red-headed cook sure found out he was popular with
the men.
And at Bakaritza the ferry boat the next (lay, May 21, took us direct to Economie. The only
events there worthy of note were the base ball gaime for the championship of the port, when we took


i:I






It. Donovan.                      Pvt. Jensen.             Corp. Jondro.
THREE BUM S FROM BOLSHEOZERKE
Know these bums? Remember the day? Makes you laugh to think of it. Just back from that "hitch" in the
woods. Almost as hairy as the Bolo prisoners we took. What are they grinning about? This is the cootie trio.
The cooties are doing their best to break up their pose. Anyway, why not be cheerful? They are back to the
railroad station they have saved. The bath house will soon be steaming hot. And the cooks have promised a
big dinner.




ten thousand roubles from Hdq. Co. by a score of 5 to 2. The other event was the Memorial Day parade in Archangel, in which our company led. Genral Richardson, Colonel Ruggles and even Colonel Stewart praised the outfit for its fine appearance that day. Story of the exercises is told elsewhere. Twenty of the men were so hard hit by camp sickness that they had to be left behind when
the company boarded the "Czar" on June 2.
The company went into Russia with 234 men. We received 45 replacement men. We left with
192 men. The remainder of the story may be found in the Company Diary.


MAJOR J. BROOKS NICHOLS
Here is our battalion leader. He came to us in the midst of a battle. He was with us in more than one. That
chair pose is rather affected. We saw him more often coming and going in the field. He was with us at 466
in October when we worked up the drive on 455. He was with us at 461 when we jumped into the Bolo the next
day at dawn. He was with us two days at 445 during that long shelling the Bolo gave us before we had time to dig
our bomb proofs and helped dig the Hq. dugout with a will. And he went with us to Verst 18. He admitted frequently that he liked to be with Co. "M." Major Nichols sure did believe in "M" Company men. They did their
best for him. Wonder why?
So did other companies. By all odds, our battalion commander was the most popular field officer with American troops in Russia. How often soldiers and officers of the regiment wished Major Nichols were commanding
officer of the 339th. This is not saying anything against the officer who did command the regiment. But it is not
half saying praises for the untiring, conscientious, thoughtful work of Major Nichols in looking after the health,
feeding, clothing and equipping of the men in the companies under his command, and for his foresight, judgment,
inspiration, and pep in handling in the field the troops entrusted to his tactical command. "M" Company men
were proud to serve under Major J. Brooks Nichols.
(Ba SB (~a S% t




Battle Record of Co.
1. Offensive Movement from Obozerskaya, Russia, to
Verst 445, six miles north of Empsa, Russia, on
Archangel-Vologda Railway, Sept. 5, 1918, to Oct.
17, 1918.
2. Defense of Railway front, Oct. 18, 1918, to Nov. 19,
1918, and Nov. 23, 1918, to Dec. 11, 1918.
3. Defense of Pinega and L. of C. from Ust Pinega to
Pinega, 80 miles, Dec. 18, 1918, to March 5, 1918.
4. Defense of Obozerskaya, at Verst 18 on OnegaObozerskaya Road, 4 miles from     Bolsheozerke,
March 28 to April 4, 1919.
5. Defense of Railway front, April 10, to May 8, 1919.
CASUAL
Pvt. Fred L. Hodgson, September 14, 1918, Influenza,
Archangel, Russia.
Pvt. Arthur Nunn, September 16, 1918, Influenza, Archangel, Russia.
Pvt. Schliomi Dyment, September 29, 1918, Killed in
Action, Verst 458.
Pvt. Matti Neimi, October 1, 1918, Died of Wounds in
Action, Verst 458.
Pvt. Walter Merrick, October 14, 1918, Killed in Action,
Verst 455.


" M" 339th Infantry
6. Battles, skirmishes, engagements(a) Engagement Verst 466, A. & V. Ry., Sept. 11,
1918.
(b) Battle Verst 458, A. & V. Ry., Sept. 29-30, 1918.
(c) Battle Verst 457-455, A. & V. Ry., Oct. 14, 1918.
(d) Battle Verst 445, A. & V. Ry., Oct. 17, 1918.
(e) Battle Ist Pocha, supporting Russian artillery
and Infantry, Jan. 28, 1919.
(f) Battle Pelegorskaya, supporting Russian artillery and infantry, Feb. 4, 1919.
(g) Battle Verst 18, on Onega-Obozerskaya Road,
March 31-April 1-2, 1919.,TY LIST
EAD
Pvt. Floyd A. Sickles, December 6, 1918, Killed in Action, Verst 445.
Mech. Charles O. Dial, March 31, 1919, Killed in Action,
Verst 18.
Pvt. Alva Crook, April 1, 1919, Killed in Actin, Verst 18.
Corp. Frank E. Sapp, April 1, 1919, Killed in Action,
Verst 18.
Corp. William II. Russell, April 19, 1919, Killed (Acci(lental in 1. d.), Verst 466.


WOUNIDED AND SHELL SHOCKED (ss.)


Lt. James R. Donovan, September 29, 1918, Action
Verst 458.
Corp. Frank Rahn, September 29, 1918, Action Verst
458.
Sgt. Charles V. Riha, September 29, 1918, Action Verst
458.
Pvt. John J. Jerrain, September 29, 1918, Action Verst
458.
Pvt. William  A. Drews, September 29, 1918, Action
Verst 458.
Pvt. Joseph A. Karapuz, September 29, 1918, Action 458.
Pvt. Andrew Yasas, September 29, 1918, Action Verst
458.
Pvt. Clarence A. Miller (ss.), September 29, 1918, Action Verst 458.
Pvt. Paul Sinaglick, September 29, 1918, Action Verst
458.
Corp. Homer M. Steinhauer, October 14, 1918, Action
Verst 455.
Pvt. John Keller, October 14, 1918, Action Verst 455.
Pvt. Benj. Jondro, October 14, 1918, Action Verst 455.
Pvt. Ray L. Lawrence, October 14, 1918, Action Verst
455.


Corp. Simon Bogacheff, October 19, 1918, Action Verst
445.
Pvt. Ray G. Vicary, October 19, 1918, Verst 445.
Pvt. David Oslund, October 19, 1918, Action Verst 445.
Pvt. Owa C. Dusseau, October 19, 1918, Action at Verst
445.
Pvt. John Boysen, October 20, 1918, Action at Verst 445.
Pvt. Frank Lachachke, December 6, 1918, Action at
Verst 445.
Corp. Robert M. Pratt, March 31, 1919, Action at Verst
18.
Corp. Joseph Ryduchowski, April 2, 1919, Action at
Verst 18. (ss.)
Pvt. Marion Nicholls (ss.), April 2, 1919, Action at
Verst 18.
Pvt. George H. Manders (ss.), April 2, 1919, Action at
Verst 18.
Corp. Norman C. Miller, April 19, 1919, Accidental in
1. td.
Corp. Frank J. Homanski, April 19, 1919, Accidental in
1. d.
Corp. Walter J. Picard, April 19, 1919, Accidental in
1. d.


CAPTURED IN ACTION BY ENEMY AMBUSH
Sgt. Glenn W. Leitzell, March 31, 1919, Verst 18.         Mech. Jens C. Laursen, March 31, 1919, Verst 18.
Pvt. Freeman Hogan, March 31, 1919, Verst 18.


LOSSES FROM FLU
Corp. Harold G. Montgomery, September, 1918.
Corp. Cortland A. Neilsen, September, 1918.
Corp. William J. Foreit, November, 1918.
Corp. Clifford Dalton, February, 1919.
Corp. David V. Sjolin, March, 1919.
Mech. Charles F. Senzik, November.
Pvt. Ray Austin, September.
Pvt. Joe Devish, September.
Pvt. Walter P. Jones, September.
Pvt. Robert Hardy, October.
Pvt. Frank Le Fevre, October.
Pvt. Leonard Lovecchio, October.


AND EXPOSURE
Pvt. Harold McCarly, October.
Pvt. Frank McDonald, October.
Pvt. Lawrence McWethy, October.
Pvt. Golden C. Bahr, November, (Died March, 12, 1919,
three weeks after discharge).
Pvt. Allen Kaake, November.
Pvt. Horace Kaake, November.
Mech. John Kostuch, November.
Pvt. Floyd R. Iatta, November.
Pvt. Stephen M. Maher, December.
Pvt. Fred Freiberg, January.
Pvt. Frank Karber, March.


Corp. Frank L. O'Connor.
Corp. Ross O. Walton.
Corp. Edward J. Burrill.
Pvt. John C. Adams.
Pvt. Edwin W. Blades.
Pvt. Herbert G. Eib.
Pvt. Albert Kmeciak.
Pvt. Oscar E. Lighter.
Pvt. Charles McLeich.
Pvt. Robert R. Mosher.


CAMP DYSENTERY SICK IN JUNE WHO MISSED
COMING WITH COMPANY ON "CZAR"
Pvt. Charles A. Ordish.
Pvt. Albert Patz.
Pvt. Richard Perkins.
Pvt. George H. Penoyer.
Pvt. Orval E. Potter.
Pvt. John Rompinen.
Pvt. Guy Stone.
Pvt. Donald Wilson.
Pvt. Elmer Zander.
Pvt. Julius F. Zilch.




I                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I


1'!


I


Here is the Only Picture Group that Contains Our Much Lamented Comrade, Charles 0. Dial.
"Life on Our Fighting Line"
AN UNUSUAL LETTER FROM A RED CROSS WORKER IN ARCHANGEL
January, 1919.
"I have just returned from a trip by sled up the Pinega River, to the farthest point on that section where Amnerican troops are located. The trip consume(d six dlays and this, with the trip to the
Dwina front, makes a total of twenty days' journeying by sled and about eight hundred miles covered. Horses and not reindeer are used for transport. The Russian horse, like the peasant, must
be a stout breed to stand the strain and stress of existence. They are never curried, are left standing in the open for hours, and usually in spots exposed to cruel winds when there is a semblance of
shelter available within a few feet. The peasants do not believe in 'mollycoddling' their animals,
nor themselves.
"On the return trip from Dwina, I had a fine animal killed almost instantly by his breaking his
neck. It was about five o'clock in the afternoon, pitch dark, of course, and our Russian driver,
who (clad in reindeer skin and hood) resembled for all the world a polar bear on the front of the
sled, shouted meaningless and unnecessary words to our horses to speed them on their way. * * *
"All sexes and ages look alike in these reindeer parkis. We were in a sellmi-covered sled with
narrow runner, but with safety skids to prevent it from completely capsizing. At the foot of every
Russian hill the road makes a sharp turn. For a solid week we had been holding on at these turns,
but finally had become accustomed, or perhaps I should say resigned, to them. Going down a long
hill, the horse holds back as long as he can, the driver assisting in retarding the movement of the
sled. But on steep hills, where this is not possible, it is a case of a run for life. * * *
"Our horse shied sharply at a sleeping-bag which had been thrown from a baggage sled ahead.
The safety skids could not save us, but made the angle of our overturn more complete. I fell on the
bottom. Kirkpatrick, several pieces of his luggage, and an abnormal quantity of hay added to my
disconmfort. His heavy blanket roll, which he had been using as a back rest, was thrown twenty feet.
The top of the sled acted as an ideal snow scoop and my head was rubbed in the snow thoroughly before our little driver, who was hanging on to the reins (B3-r-r b-r-r) could hold down the horse. It
was not until an hour later, when our driver was bringing in our baggage, that I discovered that our
lives had been in the hands of a thirteen years old( girl. * * *
"After a trip of this sort one becomes more an(l more enthusiastic about his blanket roll.
Sleeping at all times upon the floor, and occasionally packed in like sardines with members of peasant families all in the same room, separated only by an improvised curtain, we kept our health, appetites, and humor. * * *
"A small village of probably two hundred houses. The American soldiers have been in every
house. At first the villages distrusted them. Now they are the popular men of the community with
the elders as well as children. Their attitude toward the Russian peasants is helpful, conciliatory,
and sympathetic. One of these men told me that on the previous day he had seen a woman crying
on the street, saying that their rations would not hold out and they would be forced to eat straw.
The woman showed me a piece of bread, hardly a square meal for three persons, which she pro



duced carefully wrapped as if worth its weight in gold, from a box in the corner. They had been
improvident in the use of their monthly ration of fifteen pounds of flour per person and the end of
the month, with yet three days to go, found them in a serious dilemma. When the hard tack and
sugar were produced, they were speechless with astonishment. And the satisfaction of the American
soldier was great to see. * * *
HE MENTIONS "M" COMPANY
"Up the Pinega River, many miles from any place, we passed a considerable body of American
soldiers headed to the front. Every man was a picture of health, cheeks aglow, head up, and on the
job. These same men were on the railroad front-400 miles in another direction-when I had seen
them last. They were just coming out of the front line trenches and blockhouses, wearing on their
heads their steel hats and earring on their backs everything but the kitchen stove.
"Now they were rigged more for long marching, in fur caps, khaki coats of new issue with
woolen lining, and many caried alpine poles, for in some places the going was hard.
"From our sled every man was given a package of Red Cross cigarettes, and every man was
asked if he had received his Christmas stocking. They all had. I dined, by the way, with General
Ironsides last night, and he was very strong in his praise for this particular body of men who have
seen strenuous service and are in for more.        Sincerely,
(Signed) C. T. WILLIAMS.
Capt. J. R. Moore                                   Archangel, Russia, January 7, 1918.
Commanding Pinega Forces,
Pinega.
My dear Captain Moore:
I am very sorry to hear that your barracks were burned just after I left Pinega, and that
your men lost considerable of their effects. Last night one of your men came to my apartment and
gave me this information, and also advised that you had wired me for such things as the Red Cross
could spare for your men. The telegram has not been received, but your men, with sleighs, reported


Village Scene, Mid-Winter Travel. Col. Stewart on Dvina.




at our headquarters this morning, and we are furnishing them with a complete assortment of comforts for the men. In the comfort kits will be found many essentials, and in addition, we are including an extra supply of warm socks, with the usual supply of cigarettes. I have directed that a case
of Ivory soap be included. Soap of the American brand I find very popular with the men.
It is my plan, within a week, to start overland by sled, en route to the Kola Peninsula section,
and thence probably across into Finland and thence Stockholmn en route to America, unless there
should be some unforeseen happening to change my plans and route. I am leaving Capt. Lively in
charge here, and the special function of the party we are leaving will be to minister to the comforts
of the American troops. You will find Lively effective and responsive.
I dined a few nights ago with General Ironsides, who spoke highly of your company, which it
was gratifying to hear. When you return to the States I shall be glad to hear from you, at Baltimore. Care The Maryland Club there will always reach me. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and your men, as I know you will, and believe me,
Very sincerely,
(Signed) C. T. WILLIAMS,
Deputy Commissioner.


In Their Sunday Best.


Did you ever wonder why the Red Cross Major was so keen to see all the fronts where were found
the American troops? Ever think he was getting information? Wonder why he went out by sleighroute across Finland? Did he go to Am. G. H. Q. in France and to President 'Wilson? Did he tell
the facts about the Allied North Russian Expedition? Connect his visit to France with any mysterious events? Like the message that came to Archangel in mid-winter, "Just where is the Pinega
front?" Did he suggest that a square-jawed American General be sent to Archangel? That American Troops be withdrawn as soon as possible to do so? Ever occur to you that a judicious statement
of actual facts counts more heavily than exaggeration and vituperation? Perhaps the official reports of our own American officers sent by secret couriers and the reports of our Red Cross friend
counted for more than the distorted statements and the threats of our self-styled saviours-senators
and others!




Military Decorations
The American soldiers at one time or another served under the field banners of four nations
American, French, British, and Russian. And for their valor and greatly meritorious conduct mostly
over and beyond the call of duty, many soldiers were commended by these American, French, British, and Russian field officers in their reports to higher military authorities.
And later many, but not all, of those officers and men so commended were cited in orders and
awarded decorations. In the list of "M" Co. men below are the names of three who were recommended for the best decoration of all, the D. S. C., I)istinguished Service Cross, of the U. S. Army.
Nine of these much coveted medals were awarded to American soldiers in the North Russian Expedition. You will surely agree that Comrades Pratt, Russell and Grahek were deserving.
The Croix de Guerre decorations were the marks of esteem and admiration bestowed by the
French officers under whom we served and are tokens of the affections of the French people for the
Americans.
The Military Medal and the D. C. M. Cross were the British awards. In confidence let it be said
that the British field officers always thought highly of "M" Co. but for a certain reason, which you
know, failed to give individual credit and reward to the men. Elsewhere are printed British officers'
commendations to "M" Co.
The Cross of St. Anne, the Cross of St. Stanislas, the Cross of St. George, the St. Anne Silver
Medal, and the St. Stanislas Silver Medal are Russian old army military decorations awarded by General Maroushevski, Commanding Russian forces of the Northern Republic, of the All-Russian Government. These awards are high marks of admiration and esteem given by an old general who recognized the purity of purpose and the valorous manhood of democratic citizen soldiers fighting a
strange war in a foreign land. Gen. Maroushevski thanked me personally with tears in his eyes for
the patient and courteous and kind attitude of the brave American soldiers toward his Rusian soldiers and his pitiful people-especially in the Pinega area.


Pvt. John C. Adams, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. Harrison Bush, Cross of St. George.
Sgt. Joseph Curry, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. Fred De Laney, Cross of St. George.
1st. Lt. James R. Donovan, Cross of St. Anne, Croix de
Guerre.
1st. Sgt. Walter Dundon, Cross of St. George.
Bugler George Garton, Cross of St. George.
Sgt. Frank Getzloff, Croix de Guerre.
St. Mathew G. Grahek, D. C. M., Croix de Guerre, Cross
of St. George, D. S. C.
Sgt. John P. Gray, Croix de Guerre.
Pvt. George Hanrahan, Cross of St. George.
Sgt. Charles A. Hebner, Croix de Guerre, Cross of St.
George.
Corp. Fred Hodges, Cross of St. George.
Sgt. William R. Huston, Cross of St. George.
Sgt. Jacob Kantrowitz, Cross of St. George, Croix de
Guerre.
Pvt. Oscar E. Lighter, Croix de Guerre.
Sgt. John W. Magin, Croix de Guerre.
Pvt. Harold Metcalfe, St. Stanislas Silver Medal.
Pvt. Clarence A. Miller, Military  Medal, Croix   de
Guerre.
Capt. Joel R. Moore, Cross of St. Anne, Croix de Guerre.
Corp. William Nieman, Cross of St. George.
Corp. Frank L. O'Connor, Cross of St. George, Croix
de Guerre.


Sgt. Charles W. Page, Cross of St. George.
Cook Joseph Pavlin, St. Stanislas Silver Medal.
Sgt. Charles W. Peterson, Croix de Guerre.
Corp. Walter J. Picard, St. Annes Silver Medal.
Corp. Robert M. Pratt, Cross of St. George, Croix de
Guerre, D. S. C.
1st,t. Clarence J. Prinmm, Cross of St. Anne, Croix de
Guerre.
Sgt. Charles V. Riha, Cross of St. George.
Corp. Frank J. Romanski, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. John Rompinen, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. Ernest P. Rouleau, St. Stanislas Silver Medal,
Croix de Guerre.
Corp. William H. Russell, Distinguished Service Cross
(post huimous).
Corp. Joseph Ryduchowski, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. Leo Schwabe, Cross of St. George.
Pvt. Alfred Starikoff, Croix de Guerre.
Pvt. Frank Stepnavski, St. Stanislas Silver Medal.
1st I,t. George W. Stoner, Cross of St. Anne, Croix de
Guerre.
Pvt. Walter Streit, Croix de Guerre.
2nd Lt. Robert J. Wieczorek, Cross St. Stanislas, Croix
(le Guerre.
2ndl It. Wesley K. Wright, Cross St. Stanislas, Croix de
Guerre.
Sgt. Norman Zapfe, Cross of St. George.
Cook Theodore J. Zech, St. Stanislas Silver Medal.
Corp. Walter Zimmerman, Cross of St. George.


(EDITOR'S NOTE-Many deserving men of "M" Co. did not get decorations. Such is luck in war. No one was
intentionally overlooked, but some were. I'm sorry. As commanding officer I tried to secure justice. Let me declare that all the decorations, etc., which came to me as Captain commanding Co. "M" 339th Infantry, were won for
me by the valiant and loyal service of the company as a whole. And we may as a whole company look at the
above list of awards with pride. Officers and N. C. O.'s and others on the list would not be there if they had not
had their sturdy comrades of the company valiantly supporting and cheering them on. As a company there was
no better feeling nor better fighting outfit in North Russia. And the "AM" Co. roster is in itself one big honor list.)




Contributions
(EDITOR'S NOTE-"M" Co. men wrote comparatively little "sob stuff" home. Their letters had the hopeful,
humorous ring for the home folks. Folks at home had as much grief as they could stand. Senators and other
politicians and 2 by 4 reporters pulled off enough of the "sob." No use for manly soldiers to add to the fears of
folks at home.)
One the Censor in England did not return, if you please.
Archangel, Russia, April 12, 1919.
Dear Friend:
I received your most welcome letter and was glad to hear from you. I am writing this letter at
2:30 in the morning, so you can see how early I get up. The other corporal just called me to take
charge of the guard till six o'clock, so I have plenty of time to write to you. You said you had a nice
little Hunk coming to see you now; well, you have nothing on Art and I. We have two of the nicest
little girls you ever saw. My girl has just been promoted from a section hand to a switchman on the
same railroad I am fighting on. You know we have woman suffrage here now, so the women have
to work the same as the men. Art's girl is better looking than mine, but he always was a lucky boy
to get pretty girls.
We are now fighting on the same front at last, only I am 11 versts behind him, so if he can hold
the Bolos off I will be all right. Our company had a fight that lasted from March 31 to April 2nd.
Three regiments of Bolos attacked us and after fighting for three days our aeroplane dropped a message over on the Bolo lines and told them that the famous "M" Co. was fighting them. So they sent
a message back and told us to cease firing that they were going to retreat. They said they thought
the Machine Gun company was at the front. Well, Rose, they say we are going to be relieved, but
they have been telling us that for so long it is nothing new. We don't like to leave our girls now,
anyway.
Well, Rose, I will have to close for this time. Answer soon.
Ever your friend,
CORP. NORBERT SCHILLINGER,
Co. "M," 339th Inf., Archangel, Russia.
MOZHNAH, BARISHNAH?
SEVEN WAR BRIDES IN ARCHANGEL
There have been seven North Russian war weddings in the American Expeditionary Force. It
is not known at present what arrangements have been made for transporting the war brides to
America. The following American soldiers have been married in Archangel. If the list is not complete, it is because no other marriages have been recorded:
Oscar J. Conklin, "H" Co., to Christina Lupacheva.
Joseph Chinzi, Supply Co., to Elena Farizey.
John V. Karouch to Alexandra Kadrina.
John Vrahoritis, "M" Co., to Maria Esyevileva.
Alex Muroshky, Hdq. Co. (Name of bride not available).
Frank K. Mikiewcz, 337 Amb. (Name of bride not available).
George Geren, "E" Co., to Nina Paloza.
BRITISH RATIONS
"Grass stew" was on the menu one day at Soyla. Pvt. Templle gave his portion to his Russian
hostess. She tasted it and then threw it on some hay before the cow. The cow refused to eat either
the "grass stew" or the hay. —Contribulted by Sgt. Zapfe.
It was at 466 on Palm Sunday, 1919, on outpost. Pvt. Penoyer remarked to the squad:
"Next Sunday will be Easter and never an egg will we have."


"Yes," said Pvt. Bush; "but if we're at the front we'll have shells anyway, and then I'll scramble."
-Contributed by Sgt. Zapfe.
FAMOUS REMARKS
Corporal Neiman was too fat to get over the wall at Caml) Custer in the tests, but was making
his tenth trial. Capt. Moore was heard to remark, encouragingly: "You've got the guts, all right,
Corporal, but too much belly."




OUR ARMORED TRAIN
Around the bend near 461 creeps our armored train. One-armed Commander Young, a hero of the Zeebruge
raid, with his motley Polish-Russian crew. Remember his first help to us, Sept. 11? He finally got over a few
shrapnel at the enemy armored train that had shelled us.
Remember the ride on the armored train that you took with Lt. Stoner and the Cossack Chief the day Donnor got lost and single-handed went into the Bolo camp?
Remember how glad you were to have the old car come up on the morning of Sept. 30 when the Bolo threatened our left flank at the bridge 458?
And again how we shouted for joy when he sent a growling shell over us at 445 in long-waited-for reply to
the hot barrage old John Bolo was giving us Oct. 19th? Commander Young carried away good wishes from us all.
Officer-"What is the first thing a farmer boy does in the morning?"
Corp. Pratt, (after a silence)-"Sir, he shakes the sand from his shoes."
"We knocked the bow off the Bolo."  Pvt. Russell Hill.
During heavy enemy barrage the captain was heard to order: "If you come out of those tents,
men, put on your steel helmets."
"Don't fire, we're Americans," commanded Maj. Young, as the Bolo aviator who was crashing
let fly with his automatic.
FIRST IMPRESSION OF "M" CO.
I came with the replacement men from France. After two weeks' stay in Archangel and eating
Bn mess, which consisted of "grass stew" and hardtack three times a day, and tea for breakfast only,
I was transferred to "M" Co. Will never forget the first meal. A whole mess kit full of oat meal,
dried apple sauce, bread and coffee.
When we were about half through eating, Captain Moore made a little speech. He said that if
anyone wanted "seconds" he could have them. I was so full that I hardll had room for all the ap
pie sauce. I said that anyone who could eat "seconds" after a meal like that was a hog.
Then I felt a punch in the back and turned around.
Pvt. Stone whispered, "Get it; if you can't eat it, I will." —l-vt. Herman Yopp.
f  ft  f fv
ONE VARIETY OF BOLO
Getting used to Russian names for things afforded some humorous incidents.
The man on the extreme left of the advancing line was to keep in touch with the railway. Lt.
Stoner ordered him to observe the verstpoles so that he could tell when he was near his objective.
The soldier watched all right, but he astonished Lt. Stoner an hour later by replying to his question
as follows:
"No, sir; I haven't seen any Verstbolo yet, but I'll shoot him if I do."
THE GENERAL WAS RIGHT
After reviewing the company at Smolny, General Ironsides gave us a short talk during the course
of which he said, "I hope to be able to give you more bread and less hardtack."
Later when the 3rd platoon was relieving the 1st at Soyla, one of the men of the 3rd asked Pvt.
Hyatt, "How is the chow up here?"
"Oh,' 'said he, "the General was right. We formerly got two hardtacks a meal. Now we get one."
-Contributed.




JOE AND HIS K. P.'S
Here is the company's old head cook, Joe Pavlin, at Obozerskaya. Who is that little Russian boy? Remember
how he carted water? How he begged to enlist?
Think of the sumptuous quarters you found there in the village after your first four days on outpost. The
sergeants made them a real home. The officers had the palm room in the old head forester's home.
Good old G-I can. How faithfully you served. All up and down the railroad-in Smolny-in Soyla-in Pinega at Verst 18. You were usually tough-looking on the outside, but inviting within.
How the British scorned our American field kitchens! But didn't we hang to them?  Would you have traded
with the French?
And when we think of perfect roast beef we have to think of the roasts that were browned and turned out by
our old company cook, Joe. And at that Hines and Zeck and Griner and Fisher were not so far behind. Remember Joe's pies at Obozerskaya, Sept. 20, 1918?
FROM COOK FISHER'S PEN
"OWED TO THE BAND"
By Fisher
Oh, Headquarters Band is boasting how they keep the spirit up
Of the boys that take the bitter and the blunt,
But it's a different kind of music that we got up in the woods
For Archangel is a long ways from the front.
Oh, we're short of Stretcher Bearers when we're doing up a job
And a richochet just glances off your nut,
So we have to lay and suffer on the cold, damp snow
For the Band has got to keep the spirit up.
You have writen home the easy side,
Never our side dare we tell;
The roses strewn in our path
They have a peculiar smell.
Don't think me such a cruel lad
When the truth to you I'll say,
Of the Band you boast so highly
I have never heard it play.
P. S.-With apologies to Corporal Myers.
(EDITOR'S NOTE-Of course band men are not blamed because they were kept at Archangel. They could not
help it.)
OLD ROUBLE
In the story of "M" Co. in Russia, our Captain may give the credit of the best man for patrolling
to a sergeant or a corporal, but the one who deserves that honor is Rouble our big white and brown
spotted dog.
In all our patrolling Rouble was far out in the lead and he always led us to the enemy's position.
We were never afrait to go on patrol when Rouble was in the lead. For he always knew right
where the enemy's position was and when there was danger ahead he gave us warning by giving a




low growl. He would then step lightly and slowly. We would follow him till we had crept up close
enough to see what the enemy was doing and had got all the information we started out for. Then
we would return.
And many a time at night when things began quieting down, Rouble would leap over the top
and go scouting around No Man's land to watch the movements of the enemy.
Many times he would get so close to the eneny's lines that they would hear him and open fire.
Once Rouble got wounded by some sharpshooter of the enemy, but he never gave up. He would do
his scouting just the same. Rouble was a close friend of all the boys of Co. "M" and many a time
they wecre seen dividing their dinner with their old comrade and guide.
-Corporal N. Schillinger.
(Yes, Old Rouble was almost human. Once he got in line at sick call. But the captain of the Royal Scots called
him a Bolo spy dog October 19th and opened fire on him.-Editor.)
SNAPPY ARTICLE ON ARCHANGEL
By Corp. Knight, Former "AM" Co. Man.
Sometimes, about once or twice every now and then, copies of The Stars and Stripes find their
way up here to No Woman's Land and are instantly devoured by the news-hungry gang, searching
for information regarding their comrades and general conditions in France, where we belong, but
through Fate were sent up to this part of the world to quell Bolshevism and guard the Northern
Lights.
We are so far north that the doggone sun works only when it feels inclined to do so, and in that
way it is like everything else in Russia. The moon isn't so particular, and comes up, usually backwards, at any time of the day or night, in any part of the sky, it having no set schedule, and often it
will get lost and still be on the job at noon. Yes, we are so far north that 30 degrees below will soon
be tropical weather to us, and they will have to build fires around both cows before they can milk
9r 1 HELL To /A MO o/
O( T tr'L t~EATfToLs
St. Y. FEBRUARY 5. 1919. s  E  " T  L t
THE HARD JOB IS TO LET GO  hWA) btb
A CARTOON FROM THE OLD COMPANY BULLETIN BOARD
Going over the papers saved from the wreck our Co. Hq. chest that smashed as it dropped into the hold of the
ship, we come to two cartoons that used to attract you.
The cartoons are yellowed and tattered but they tell a lot.
"The Hard Job is to Let Go," is the heading of the one that pictures an Allied doughboy hanging desperately
to the tail of a great bob-cat labeled Russia. Each is clawing gravel in a circle. Across the ocean on U. S. A. stands


the little bald-headed citizen who is saing, "Come on home, Yank! What did you grab him for in the first place?"
The Detroit News printed the cartoon on Feb. 5. We got it in Archangel in March, just about the time the
Bolo tiger began to claw and yowl on all fronts in North Russia. And you all seemed to see the justice of the
remark the captain wrote on the margin of the cartoon, "It is hell to hang on, but it's death to let loose." We did
hang on until Russian troops took over their own job and we all got away.
It may be of interest to you to know that in August the Russian troops of Archangel, or North Russian Republic, relieved the British troops. All Allied troops are now out of North Russia.
Whether we should or whether we should not have been in North Russia fighting for the Archangel people
and fighting against the Bolsheviki, the fact is that so far as "M" Co. nen were concerned they had the old Bolo
bob-cat scared whenever they pinched his tail. No doubt at all that "M" Co. was known and respected by the Bolo.




ROULEAU, LINTS, FEDDER AND BROWN
Most of you one time or another got a chance to ride with the samaryat and his reindeer. Here is Rouleau and
the other Hq. orderlies starting off for a ride, at Pinega.
Those of you in 1st platoon who were with the artillery day the enemy moved on Chertkva and threatened
Pelegorskaya, can recall seeing the tandem sleds of reindeer that came flashing into the lines. Sgt. Kantrowitz
will never forget that ride. He sat on the rear sled. We came from Pinega to Pelegor in an hour. The sergeant's
sled was in the air two thirds of the time. The wise old buck reindeer who was hitched to the rear of his sled,
would brace and pull back to keep the sergeant's sled from snapping the whip at the innumerable turns. And
that would lift the light sled clear of the ground. And when the old buck was not steering, the bumps in the
road were bouncing the sergeant's sled several feet into the air.
Remember how the reindeer travelled with his long tongue dangling out as if in distress? How he panted?
How he thrust his muzzle into the snow? Remember the single rein fastened to the leader's horn? And the pole
that the driver used either to prod or to direct by striking the leader's head.
them. Probably about next month at this time some one will come around and say we will be pulling out of here in a day or so, but then, the days will be six months long.
In one issue of your very popular paper we noticed a cartoon, "Pity the Boys in Siberia," but
what about us, Ed? Now, up here in this tough town there are 269,831 inhabitants, of which 61,329
are human beings and 208,502 are dogs. Dogs of every description from the poodle to the St. Bernard and from the wolfhound to the halfbreed dachshund, which is half Gernman and half Bolshevik
and looks the part.
The wind whistles across the Dwina River like the Twentieth Century Limited passing Podunk,
and snowflakes are as numerous as retreating Germans were in France a few weeks ago. Wee have
good quarters, when we are here, thank Fortune for that, and good food, when it comes up. If we
can stand the winter we will be all jake, for a Yank can accustom himself to anything if he wants to.
But just the same, we would like to see your artists busy on "The Boys in Northern Russia" and tell
them not to leave out the word "Northern."
We also read in The Stars and Stripes that the boys in Italy had some tongue twisters and brain
worriers, but listen to this: Centimes and sous and francs may be hard to count, but did you ever hear
of a rouble or a kopec? A kopec is worth a tenth of a cent and there are a hundred of them in a
rouble. As you will see, that makes a rouble worth a dime, and to make matters worse all the
money is paper, coins having gone out of circulation since the beginning of the mix-up. A kopec is
the size of a postage stamp, a rouble looks like a United Cigar Stores Certificate, a 25 rouble note
resembles a porous plaster and a 100 rouble note the Declaration of Independence.
When a soldier in search of a meal enters a restaurant, he says to the waitress, "Barishna, kakajeetyeh bifstek, pozhalysta," which means "An order of beefsteak, lady, please." You see, you
always say "barishna" which really means "girl," and until a young lady is married she is always a
"barishna" and is always addressed in that manner. She will answer the hungry customer with,
"Yah ochen sojalaylu, shto unaus nyet yestnik prepasov siechas" (a simple home cure for lockjaw),
meaning, "I am very sorry, but we are right out of food today." He will try several other places, and
if he is lucky he is apt to stumble across a place where he can get something to eat, but when he
looks at the bill of fare and learns that it cost him about $7.50 for a sandwich and a cup of coffee, he
beats it back to the barracks.
Every time you get on a street car ("dramvay") you have to count out 60 kopecs for your fare,
and most of us would rather walk than be jammed in the two-by-four buses and fish for the money.
Before boarding a car each passenger usually hunts up a couple of five gallon milk cans, a market
basket or two and a bag of smoked herring, so they will get their kopec's worth out of the ride, besides making the atmosphere nice and pleasant for the rest of the passengers. If you should see a
soldier walking down the street with his nose turned up and his mouth puckered in apparent con



tempt, you would be wrong in thinking he was conceited, for if the truth be known he has probably
just got his shirt back from the washwoman, and she has used fish-oil instead of soap and he is trying to escape the fumes. When you take your clothes to have them laundered and tell the woman to
please omit the odor, she'll tell you that she has no soap and if you want them washed to your satisfaction please send in a cake. Anything in the world to keep your clothes from smelling of fish-oil,
so you double-time back and get her the soap, and then she gives the kids a bath, and that's the end
of your soap.
lWhen a Russian meets another man he knows on the street, both lift hats and flirt with each
other. If they stop to talk, they always shake hands, even if they haven't seen each other for fully
twenty minutes. Then they simply must shake hands again when they leave. When a man meets a
lady friend he usually kisses her hand and shows her how far he can bend over without breaking
his suspenders. "Ah," he will say, "yah ochen rrad vasveedyat, kak vui pazhavaetye?" which in the
United States means "How do you do?" to which she will reply, "Blogadaru vas, yah ochen korosho," or "very well, thank you." It is the knockout. A fellow has to shake hands so much that some
of them are getting the habit around the company.
And another thing, Ed, are they really holding a separate war up here for our benefit? Just because we weren't in on the big doings in France is no reason why they should run a post-season series
especially for us. We appreciate the kindness and honor and all that, but what we want to know is
where everybody gets that stuff. Believe me, after all the dope we got on the trenches, about pianos
and wooden floors, steam heat, and other conveniences, when we see ourselves on outpost duty with
one blanket and a poncho, sleeping (not on duty, of course) in 28 inches of pure ooooozy mnud, which
before we awaken turns into thin, fine ice, it makes us want to cry out and ask the uncerse what
what we have done to deserve this exile.
Now don't think, dear old Ed. that we are kicking. Amlerican soldiers never (o. We just wanted
to have something to write you about, to remind you that w\e ARE a part of the American E. F.., although "isolated."
With best wishes to your paper and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the boys,
I'll close with the consoling assurance in my heart that we'll meet you back on Broadway, anyway.
C. B. KNIGHT,
Corp. Hq. 339 Inf., American E. F.,
Archangel, Russia.
In a letter to The Stars and Stripes.
BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wednesday afternoon, May 28th, was a half-holiday at Economic, by order of General Richardson. Never had fatigue work been done so willingly and so well as that bestowed on the saw-mill
yard where the doughboys laid out their baseball diamond.
The championship of North Russia was to be played. Hq. Co. vs. "M" Co. It looked like the
S. O. S. vs. Line, and most of the line troops put in their roubles on "M" Co. It was a fat pot-more
than 20,000 roubles in the purse.
"Hq." Co. recalled a pitcher from Regimental Hq. and "M"' Co. uncovered a dark horse in Corp.
Bissonette. And it was a pitchers' battle most of the time. The box score shows 15 put-outs for
Catcher Haynes, "M" Co., and 12 for Thomas, Hq. Co. Bissonette was nicked for a pair of doubles in
the 5th and Huston, who relieved him in the 8th, was touched twice. "M" Co. found Crachat 12 times
but could not bunch hits except in the 4th inning when two runs were earned and Hq. contributed a
pair of errors that aided in piling up three more runs.
In the field, Cameron pulled a hard catch and Zisherk and Temple showed great class. The box
score follows:
"M" Co.           A13 R   H  PO  A   E         "Hq." Co.         AB  R   H  PO  A   E
Zisherk, 2b................ 5  2  2  1  3  0  Brabit, ss...................  4  0  0  1  1  0
Javorski, 3b.............. 5  1  1  0  1  0  Kurth, 3b..................4  0  0  1  1  0
Bisonette, p-ss.............  5  0  3  1  2  0  Forth, rf........................4  1  2  2  0  0
Temple, lb.........-... —.  4  1  2  9  0  0  Thomas, c.................  4  0  1  12  0  0
Huston, ss-p..............  4  1  2  0  1  0  W ilbert, If......-.... -....  3  0   1 1  0  0
Riha, rf..............  4  0  0  0  0  0    Cramberg, lb.............  3  0  0  8  0  0
Clark,  If......................4  0  1  0  0  0  Sullivan, 2b............ 3  0  0  1  2  1


Haynes, c....................  4  0  0   15  0  0  Kelley, cf....................  3  0  0  1  0  0
Cameron, cf................. 3  0   1   1 0  0    Crachat, p...................  3  1  0  0  2  0
Totals -..-....-...-..38  5 12  27  7  0           Totals......-...- 21  2  4  27   6   3
Score by innings-                                                        R   H   E
"M" Co. -..0-.... -—... ----              -—.       0    0   5  0  0 0   0 —5  12   0
"Hq." Co........................    0  0 0   0  1 0   1 0-2     4   3
Umpires-Capt. Coleman, Lt. Formasa.




Morale of "M" Co.
By Lt. Stoner.
Webster defines the word morale as follows: "State of nind with reference to confidence, courage, zeal and the like, especially a number of persons associated with some enterprise, as troops."
So when we begin to talk of "M" Company's morale we have to take into consideration the fact
tlat we had approximately two hundred and fifty men, each with a different state of mind in reference to confidence, courage and zeal. It is very interesting to know that the result of joining these
minds and dispositions together under the able leadership of our gallant and respected Captain, was
a unit that well earned the name of "Fighting Company M."
The fact that a great many of our men were practically strangers to the officers and "N. C. O.'s"
when we left Camp Custer on July 14, 1918, only goes to prove that they had the proper spirit and
qualities that are required to make up a successful fighting unit. Less than two months from the (lay
we left Camp Custer these men received their Baptism of Fire, and from that day on "M" Co. was an
organization always respected and trusted.
It is almost impossible for the average person to realize the bond of friendship that grew and
existed among these men in so short a time. The succeeding (lays with our fights in the woods, and
swamps, the short, cold gloomy days and the long, silent nights of sentry dluty only caused this bond
of friendship to grow until our company was second to none in Northern Russia. To mention any
particular names would be unjust, for the highest N. C. 0. to the lowest "buck" private the glory
must be shared equally. Every man at one time or another accomplished some feat which caused
him to be'dmnired by his officers and fellow men. It is regrettable that proper recognition of each
man's services cannot be given. However, the personal satisfaction each man received from knowing that he did his level best, is better than all the medals or citations that could be bestowed on anyone.
After a year of experiences and strenuous campaign we started on our long journey home. It
wMas a place we had all longed for many times, but we realized that it meant the breaking up of our
organization and the scattering of our various members over many states. But as all had (lone their
duty in a nlost satisfactory manner, each man received an honorable discharge and could step back
into civilian life without any apologies for himself or Company "M."
Monroe, Mich., October 5, 1919.
Pvt. Simon tells a good story of a patrol from 448 to 445 when Bolos were active. "There was an
English guard on at 446 and we got nearly past him before we noticed him. Corp. Gramlich could
see Bolos all around us. He wanted to go back and report, but Pvt. Mooney and I laughed at him, and
to nake sure it was a Britisher and not a Bolo, we charged on him and scared him half to death."
The night before the battle of 445 the first sergeant and the captain, who were looking for "I" Co. in
the woods near 446, were fired on by a nervous "I" Co. sentry.
i  s                                                                     A::
I      _    i


"RABOTA" ON AVIATION FIELD
Here are the barishnas and malcheks and old men who worked the ground for the aviation field. The British
interpreter had his troubles all solved for him when he got an American soldier to boss the job. "Penny-my-yetsee," Corp. Romanski?




(From the Company Bulletin Board.)
CO. "M" 339TH INF., AT 466
Palm Sunday, April 13, 1919.
QUOTATIONS
"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever."
-Psalm 98, verse 1.
"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."                                                        -Luke 17, verse 33.
"The hard scrapping company, the outfit that dares and does not flinch usually suffers fewer
casualties than the weak and hesitating."
The story of pluck always stirs our blood. The Man of Galilee had no luck. His fate was
sealed. But he showed great pluck. He taught and he preached his eternal truths even while enemies sought his life. His pluck carried through. He lost and, losing, he won. Next Sunday we celebrate his Victory over Death.
Church today at 1:00 p. m. and 1:30 p. m.
HOME
What is the word most often heard,
Spoken with accent soft;
Breathed in a prayer at evening oft,
Falling with reverence on the air;
Filling the ear with concord dear,
Pushing the heart up tight
In the throat? Yes, you're right,
Where'er they roam,
Doughboy or off'cer
Speak fondly of home
Cheerfully, not tearfully,
Of home, sweet home;
Courageously, bravely
They yearn for loved
Ones far away home.
Verst 466, April 14, 1919.
IMPRESSIONS
By Sgt. J. Kantrowitz.
It is almost an axiom with the regular army of our own country and those of foreign nations that
soldier and discipline are synonymous. Meaning thereby the blind discipline of the Prussian type.
That such an axiom is entirely wrong was shown us by the National Army. No one will affirm
that the new-born army was a model to pass inspection even before our own High Moguls of the regular army. And yet, what splendid success has that sneered at, "undisciplined" army achieved!
And where is the cause of its success? The "uneducatedness" in the sense of the regular army.
The American citizen in a soldier uniform acted like a free human beong, possessing initiative, selfreliance, and confidence, which qualities are entirely subdued by the so-called education of a soldier. It is not the proper salute or clicking of the heels that makes the good soldier, but the spirit of
the man and his character. And these latter qualities has possessed our national army. Fresh from
civilian life with all its liberty-loving tendencies, our boys have thrown themselves into the fight on
their own accord, once they realized the necessity of it. The whip of discipline could never accomplish so much as the conscience of necessity. And that is what the national army possessed. And
that is the cause of its success. And, therefore, I love it.
So long as the United States remains a free country, there is no danger for the American people.
That spirit which has manifested itself in the national army is capable to accomplish everything. It
is the free institutions of the country that brought us victory; not the so-called "education" gotten in
the barracks.
I admired the national armny men in fight, because I loved him as a citizen. And unless he


changes as a citizen, he will not change as a fighter. To me the citizen and soldier are synonymous.
A good citizen makes a good soldier, and vice versa. Let the American citizen remain as free-loving
and self-reliant as he is now, and he will make one of the best soldiers in the world. Let him lose that
freedom-loving spirit, and he will have to be Prussianized.
I have my great respect for the national army man because I have seen him at his best. In the
moments of gravest danger he has exhibited that courage which is only inborn in a free man. And
when I saw that courage, I said, "He does not need an 'education.' Let him remain a free man, and
God help those who will try to take away his freedom."




Graves of the First Three Americans Killed
On the 18th of September we buried our first men killed in battle Philip Sokol, Pvt. Co. "L";
Ignacy Kuasntewski, Mechanic Co. "I"; and Anthony Soczkowski, Pvt. Co. "I." All fell at 466, September 16th, the day the Bolos attacked.
The funeral ceremlony was performed at Obozerskaya by the Russian priest from the village.
Do you remember the chanting in the service? The swinging of the burning censor over those rude
caskets there there in the dusk? The deep homesick feeling that quivered through you as you listened to the last call and to the echo of it blown from the woods? Do you remember how you braced
up as you looked at your comrades who formed a sturdy contrast to the stricken villagers who had
come to help bury the strangers' valiant (lead?
And now you think, too, of the "M" Co. graves at 455 and 445. How friendly those French soldiers were. Did it seem inappropriate to use the bomb-crater for the temporary grave of our beloved Sickles? And then because of our sudden shift to the Penega front, "I" Co. returned the compliment to "M" Co. by conducting the burial. Remember little Chaplain Watkins went down from
Archangel specially to bury him?
tn lemaritam
By Captain Moore.
Just a turn of the wheel of fate
Accidental, he met his death.
Brave, fine lad. Oh too late,
Warning was given. The breath
Came and went and came not again,
Hero he'd been in battle red.
Now lies he mourned by all the men.
Comrades and officers tonight are sad.
Weep not corporal and sergeant brave
Blameless you stand and none condemn,
Accident purely which none could save
Awful grenade you took from "M"
Soldier heroic and tried and true
Leader that was in combat stout
Master of men and weapons, too.
Corporal Russell, Fate "called him out."
Oh, sad fate, my boy, my corporal brave.
Bleed must the hearts of loved ones at home
Torn our hearstrings as to the grave
Escort and honors go slow with drum
Beating for you we loved full well,
Soldier and comrade, God rest you in peace.
Easter's message of Hope, full to tell,
Gently bids us mourning to cease.
Corporal Russell, fare-thee-well.
A Remarkable Memorial Day
From "The Sentinel"
American Memorial Day was celebrated at Archangel yesterday. Headed by the American
Band, a company of American troops, and detachments of the U. S. Navy, Russian troops, Russian
Navy, British tr  BritiBritish Navy, French troops, French Navy, Italian and Polish troops, formed in


parade at Sabornaya at ten o'clock in the morning and marched to the cemetery.
Here a short memorial service was held. Brief addresses were delivered by General Richardson, General Miller, Charge D'Affaires Poole, and General Ironside.
In his introductory address General Richardson said:
"Fellow Soldiers of America and Allied Nations: We are assembled here on the soil of a great
Ally and a traditional friend of our country, to do what honor we may to the memory of America's
dead here buried, who responded to their country's call in the time of her need and have laid down




their lives in her defence. Throughout the world wherever may be found American soldiers or civilians, are gathered others today for the fulfillment of this sacred and loving duty. I ask you to permit your thought to dwell at this time with deep reverence upon the fact that no higher honor can
come to a soldier than belongs to those who have made this supreme sacrifice, and whose bodies lie
here before us, but whose spirits, we trust, are with us."
Before introducing General Miller, General Richardson thanked the Allied representations for
their participation in the celebration of Memorial Day.
Mr. Poole said:
"This day was first instituted in memory of those who fell in the American Civil War. It became the custom to place flowers on the graves of soldiers and strew flowers on the water in memory of the sailor dead, marking in this way one day in each year when the survivors of the war might
join with a later generation to revere the memory of those who had made for the common good the
supreme sacrifice of life. For Americans it is an impressive thought that we are renewing this consecration today in Russia, in the midst of a civic struggle which recalls the deep trials of our own past
and which is, moreover, inextricably bound up with the World War which has been our common
burden.
"This war, which was begun to put down imperial aggression upon the political liberties of certain peoples, has evolved into a profound social upheaval, touching the most remote countries. We
cannot yet see definitely what the results of its later developments will be, but already there lies
before forward looking men the bright prospect of peace and justice and liberty throughout the
world such as we recently dared hope for only within the narrow confines of particular countries.
To the soldiers of the great war- inspired from the outset by a dim foresight of this stupendous result-we now pay honor; and( in particular, to the dead whose graves are before us.
"These men, like their comnrades elsewhere in the most endless line of battle, have struck their
blow against the common enemy. They have had the added privilege of assisting in the most tragic,
and at the same time the most hopeful, upheaval for which the war has been the occasion. Autocracy in Russia is gone. A new democracy is in the struggle of its birth. The graves before us are
tangible evidence of the deep and sympathetic concern of the older democracies. These men have
given their lives to help Russia. They have labored in an enterprise which is a forecast of a new
order in the world's affairs and have made of it a prophecy of success. Here within this restricted
northern area there has been an acid test of the practicability of co-operation among nations for the
attainment of common ends. Nowhere could material and moral conditions have been more difficult than we have seen them these past months; under no circumstances could differences in national temperament or the frailties and shortcomings of individuals be brought into stronger relief.
Yet the winter of our initial difficulties is given way to a summer of maturing success. Co-operation
begun in the most haphazard fashion has developed after a few months of mutual adjustment into
concerted and harmonious action. It seems to me that herein lies striking proof of the generous
spirit of0modern international intercourse and proof of the most practical kind that, as nations succeed to doing away with war, they will be able to apply the energies thus released to common action
in the beneficent field of world wide social and political betterment. If this ideal is to be measurably
attained, as I believe it is, these men have indeed made their sacrifice to a great cause. They have
given their lives to the progress of civilization and and their nmemory shall be cherished as long as
civilization lasts."
"The Northern Morning," a Russian daily of Archangel, reported on the Memorial Day Exercises as follows:
"In memory of the fallen (luring the Civil War in America, on the initiative of President Lincoln,
the 30th of May was fixed as a day to remember the fallen heroes. In this year our American
friends have to pass this clay far from their country, America, in our cold northland, between the
graves of those who are dear not only to our friends, Allies, but also to us Russians; the sacred graves
beneath which are concealed those who, far from their own country, gave away their lives to save
us. These are now sacred and dear places, and the day of the 30th of May as a day of menorial to
them will always be to us a day of mourning. This day will not be forgotten in the Russian soul.
It has to be kept in memory as long as the name of Russian manhood exists.
"After the speeches a military salute was fired. A heart-breaking call of the trumpet over the
graves of the fallen sounded the mourning notes. Those who attended the meeting will never forget


this moment of the bugle call. The signal as it broke forth filled the air with sorrowness and grief, as
if it called the whole world to bow before those who, loving their neighbors, without hesitation
gave their lives away for the sacred cause of humanity."
"Honor be to the fallen: blessings and eternal rest those protectors of humanity who gave
their lives away for the achievement of justice and right. Sleep quietly now, sons of liberty and light.
You won before the world never-fading honor and eternal glory."
— Copy contributed by Lt. Primm.




To Our Red Cross and Y. M. C. A.
Space in this book we gladly give to pay tribute to the American Red Cross. Below a statement
from Gen. Richardson's letter. Also a statement from Major Lively, A. R. C., published in The Sentinel at Archangel, May 31, 1919.
"The American Red Cross has done so many things to soften the burden of hard service and
help bring contentment to our soldiers in distant lands, that they can never be enumerated, and the
publication of this little paper is one of them which I am sure has been very greatly appreciated.
W. P. RICHARDSON,
Brigadier General, U. S. A."
"The care of the American troops on this fighting front has been a task that has called for grilling hard work from every member of the attentuated personnel left in charge, but with the departure of the Yankee soldiers from here there is left a consciousness of no effort having been spared to
bring about their well being.
To get things through the snow and ice, to make the best use out of the restricted transportation
facilities, to treat the various companies alike regardless of their location and to get a renewal
of supplies through the ice-choked seas has meant unending work and spirit, qualities that have been
manifest in every memnber of the American Red Cross Unit.
"We would like to make public acknowledgment of our obligation to the American Army and of
the slendid wholehearted co-operation we have received from the British Army and Naval Command
in every particular.
D. 0. LIVELY,
Major A. R. C."
"M" Co. had its share of those things essential that could be used at the front. And we thank the
Red Cross for its kind attention.
Reminiscences
Pvt. Latta writes: "My thoughts reflected back to the cold, wet, uncultivated part of the world
so-called Northern Russia. But for all of that there are many things for which we may be thankful
and proud and to feel that every man of Co. "M" was at all times willing to give his all without a
word.
I will long renmenber the words that you said over the body of one of our brave boys: 'He gave
his life for a cause which he saw only through a smoky glass.'                4
I sure do feel sorry for Sgt. Dundon. His wife his buried near where I live."
Pvt. Carlton Brigham pleasantly recollects the Indian war dance we had at 466 the night we came
from 445 and built the bonfire. Remember the singing, too, of the bunch and the solos by Adams?
Vicenty Grzelak writes: "When I think of Russia it gives me the shivers. All I can remember
when I was on guard in Bolsheozerke, I laid in snow. I was near frozen. I am not married yet.
The girls call me Bolshevik, so I think I will have to go back for Russian girls."
Pvt. Boysen remembers blockhouse No. 4 at 455 nowhere he nearly shot the captain for a Bolo
spy when he came up in the dark.
Pvt. Lowe writes that his happiest minute in Russia was when he beheld the Statue of Liberty
last June.


Cook Zech says our first trip to Archangel was a birthday present to him. He says Cook Pavlin
on that journey declared he would sleep on the floor for life. He says a certain officer of the company once anounced, "I'll do the swearing for this outfit. I may swear at you. You may swear back,
but do not let me hear you do it."
Pvt. Herman recalls seeing Russian women chop a hole in the Pinega River to rinse their washing. Says the first word of Russian he learned to speak was "skoolkarooble."




FRANK OLMSTED, Y. M. C. A.
Here is a man. You signed a big petition requesting company commnander to forward a recommendation for
a citation for Frank Olmsted. Maj. Nichols had already heard from other American soldiers and French soldiers
and Maj. Alabernarde, C. 0. French troops, Vologda force put through the citation for a Croix de Guerre.
You remember many pleasant things about our North Russian Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. Hostess House, but
it is Frank Olmsted whose regular rounds at the front lines, in all kinds of weather, wearing that some honest
smile, in times of action wearing that same friendly smile. Frank Olmsted it is, whose hand and heart served best
of all his comrades and put the big C in Y. M. C. A.
Pvt. Duby promises to send the captain a pair of ducks next Thanksgiving. They are better than
rabchik. Remember it was Duby who got those two stubborn Bolos at 445. He is some shot.
Sgt. Getzloff likes his farm horses better than the Russki ponies and declares no more Russia for
him. He seems to have forgotten the battle of bully-beef tins, but Sgt. Magin writes me than "Tiny"
Getzloff was a casualty.
Pvt. Drews writes from his homie that the foot that was hit by shrapned at 458 is giving him trouble and that the Compensation Bureau offered him examination at Cincinnati, which is the nearest
post to his home in Brookville, Ind., and he is drawing disability pay.
Pvt. Starr, who helped Pvt. Herron bring Corp. Pratt in when he was wounded at Verst 18,
writes of the battle of 455. How his teeth chattered in the cold, rainy night we slept within sound
of the enenmy's noisy camp. How the excitable Frenchman with the black mustache startled his
squad at the bridge after the capture of 455 by firing at fugitive Bolos from 457 who came into sight
up the track. "I'll always remember the day the Scotch relieved us at 444. We were put on the
right flank and our post was pretty close to that old dugout of the Bolos. Friday evening Sgt. Kantrowitz came around with the mail. In every one it said I'm praying for you, or something of the like.
The next morning old John Bolo started shelling. I thought he never was going to stop. Think he
was trying to hit that old dugout and even had the nerve to tear a block of wood out of our little old
protection and scatter stones, mud, and sticks all over us. No one was hurt, but it was quite a while
before anyone moved or spoke, for each one feared he was the only one alive. Major Nicholls and
the captain came around later and the Major bawled us out for not getting into better protection. No
one needed to tell that squad to build a dugout thereafter."




MORE HAPPY THOUGHTS
Pvt. Warner was married September 20. He writes about the fight at bridge 458, where the British artillery got so many of us.
Speaking of the enemy attack March 31, he says: "Pratt's Lewis gun team was in reserve that
day and ordered to support Lt. Prinnm's platoon. No protection of any kind and it seemed as though
about a million of those birds were shooting at us. Then when the guns (75's) began to fire point
blank and knock the trees down we did not feel altogether safe yet. From that until thle third of
April, John Bolo tried his d-dst to get through that little bunch that blocked his way. But he finally
gave it up and left us alone."
Starr writes, too, about the starved, piggish children in Archangel who fought greedily for the
scrapings from your mess kits and said, "Amerikanski dobra." And he tells of the days of police
and the cootie mill at Economie, and of the last mess on horse (it cost $125.00). "It is still in my
memory. I can still see it on the box back of those tents, black and moldy. Everybody ate it though,
and no one was sick, either. We boarded the "Czar" on the second and set sail the third from dark
old Russia, though I still have a lot of pity in my heart for some of those poor souls back there."
Pvt. Kreighbaum writes an amusing story of the last day's march to Pinega: "If you remember, we had sleighs the last day. I was fortunate in having a Barishna as a driver, but after riding
with her several versts, I commenced to change my mind, for about every time she would round a
corner in the road, she would stand me out on my ear in a snow bank. Then after getting up the
road about a verst she would discover she had lost me and proceed to stutter loudly at the horse to
stop and let me catch up."
Pvt. Herber, who was field telephone man with us in the attack on on 445 and later spent the winter with the signal platoon, writes: "To be a member of the company actually made me feel many
times like putting out my chest and telling them all that I belonged to "M" Co."
Corp. Haynes mentions the "through train" to Isaka Gorka on Hallowe'en night and the "heartbreaking" disappointment when you learned it was not a relief but a mistake. And to add to the
gloom, the brick stove in the troop car fell down because of the constantly umping cars, and the
three squads shivered all the way back to Obozerskaya.
Pvt. Clark, who found a bouncing baby girl at his home, writes an amusing story. "You were
reading us the story about the cooties and typhus fever. You said you hoped none of your men had
any, and Corp. Schillinger said that they were so thick on him they were climbing down the strings
to his identification tags and swinging back and forth."
Pvt. Arnold writes of first trip to Bolsheokerze with Sgt. Gray. When grenades failed to get fish
in the stream, cigarettes magically produced rabchik. They slept in the "stable end of the house
by preference" at Malozerke. "After we had partaken of our bounteous repast of tainted rabchik
prepared by Fred Hodges, and the Russian family had drained the samovar innumerable times for
us, the boys went in to look over the barishnas and pay their respects to the family in general. Cigarettes were passed around quite freely and soon the little room was as dense as a smoke-house. Everybody seemed to be enjoying the fog from the smallest urchin to the 80 years old great-great-greatgrandmother, who with very little persuasion from Harry Bisonnette, soon lit up and was puffing
away on the weed with the rest of the bunch."
Pvt. Zilch writes about his squad going with an officer up the railroad at 445 looking for snipers.
It's a lot more comfortable looking for stock on his farm at Arcadia.
Corporal Zisherk was married Thanksgiving Day. He can remember only waiting for chow in


the blockhouse at 455.
Pvt. Streit has had hard luck. Lost his arm in a corn shredder. Daughters of the American Revolution of Michigan have sent him twice to Chicago and he now has an artificial arm and hand. The
Y. M. C. A. at Cadillac is helping him go to Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, Mich., to learn telegraphy.
He writes cheerfully in spite of his hard luck. Speaking of Russia, he recalls how the squad Bob
Mosher was in used to kid him about the "two-inches" gun the Bolo used at Verst 18.




PART OF ALLIED TROOPS AT PINEGA
People in States and in England used to read about the thousands of British troops in North Russia. Fact was
most of them were in the Murmansk area. We saw more British officers than privates for the first two months of
the campaign.
It was not till March and April that "M" Co. men found themselves fighting shoulder to shoulder with British
soldiers. Those were 80 Yorks at Verst 18. And you remember them with pleasure.
This picture shows Lt. Augustine, the Canadian Engineer officer, who worked so hard on our defenses at Pinega. You admired him and he thought American soldiers were about the best in Russia. Remember how you set
the posts and stakes for the wire? Froze them into the ice on the ground and the river.
Sgt. Curry remembers the day he quelled the incipient riot in the Russian jail by going in single-handed with
his Webley revolver. I-e drove the Bolo prisoners out to work on a "priznik" day. Some nerve.
Those were busy days at Pinega. You made the place impregnable to infantry attack. And the Bolo knew
Pvt. Lozo Obradovic is police officer in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Pvt. Nally is back at his old job
in rubber plant. Pvt. Klinkman is back on the farm. Adolph Johnson is back at Ford's. Pvt.
Lucier's mother writes that Joe has gone north to work in the woods. Wonder if he will see the
amount of pine he saw in Russia? Corp. Kearney is tailoring clothes again. Pvt. Machulis is back
in the brass foundry at Kenosha, Wisconsin. Pvt. Linville went back to Paris, Kentucky, and raised
12 acres of plug tobacco, such as Red Cross gave you in Russia. Pvt. Hemingway mentions our
bully Christmas dinner on the march to Pinega. He is now on a telegraph office job. Pvt. Mickeliunas is working for Armour's retail market in Chicago. Pvt. Kotzke is "glad to be working under
Americans rather than under the d-d B. Seems he did not like the M. & V. Sgt. Hay "married the
girl I left behind me" and went to Winnipeg to show his wife to home folks. Corp. Jondro has
also married.   Pvt. Langfitt is in Post Office service at Jackson. He claims he was first man who
went on outpost night we slept in the woods close to the Bolos at 455. Sgt. Walker is making a barrel of money with the Foster Truck Company, Detroit. Pvt. Masson is with the Monroe Binder Board
Company. Corp. Ryduchowski mentions the pond at 448 where he and Corp. Rosenau amused themselves Thanksgiving Day, 1918. Pvt. Joseph Eckert was true in spite of the Archangel beauties and
married an Indiana girl last September. Pvt. Vincent Bracci went to Marine Hospital for appendicitis and died March 23, 1920. Good boy, he was. Corp. Fralick is busier now than with a squad of
men, for he is on his farm milking fifteen cows. Remember the cow the Frenchies took from 445?
Pvt. Maitland writes from Sandusky that the boys buried Walter Merrick there in November with
military honors, Lt. Bricker in charge.
Pvt. Stringham, like so many others, mentions the battle of 455. Is it because it looked like such
an impossible feat to us before we started? Pvt. Hanrahan mentions being with Lt. Donovan at a
funeral in Racine for Lt. Collins, whose body was brought back from Russia. And the body of our
comrade Charles 0. Dial had been sent by mistake to Racine instead of Detroit.
Corp. Burill reminds the captain of a near-serious mistake in handling a compass: "Have
often thought of the time the captain and myself were on patrol with a squad at 444, last April. On
returning we followed the wrong point of the compass and almost went into the enemy lines." Burrill is now foreman with the Automatic Sprinkler Company, Detroit.




Corp, Rankin tells a good joke on two of his comrades: "When we were at 448 the last time, I
had to take the patrol on the right flank every day. I led, Ed. Miller followed me, then Joncas and
Hemingway, who was get-away man. We could not cross the swamp. Miller and I sat down to rest
and Joncas and Hemingway stopped back. I said to Miller, 'I wonder what they would do if they
would hear the crack of a rifle?' We decided to try them out. So when I pressed the trigger we
flopped over and rolled off the mound. The other two were getting away double time. We then
started back and saw Hemingway only 200 yards back, peeking out to see where the Bolos were
coming, and Joncas was circling back to see what he could see. He was sure ready for action and
coming back to se2 if we were picked off. He sure was some pal."
Pvt. Carr relates as follows: "At Verst 445 we were on outpost. Haynes, Albertus Gray, Harper
and myself on the center post on the right flank. Joncas, Sickles, Clark and Harkness on the rear
post. Lt. Stoner and Sgt. Hay came with the rum issue and somebody on Sickles' post didn't want
his drink. So Joncas took it, and I guess they were big rations,anyway. Joncas got to "feeding the
fish" and the nearest receptable was a mess kit and he filled it. At our post Haynes got Gray's and
my ration and slept very sound in spite of the draft through our sleeping quarters."
Pvt. Dusseau mentions his first meeting with Pavlin, Hines and Zech at the cook's car door the
night of October 8. And "Dynamite" Rankin corded them 16 deep in a car to sleep. He and LeBlanc
were with third platoon as telephone men in the Battle 455. Mentions the Jack Pine branch bed he
and Manders built at 448 night before Battle 445. He rejoined company in time for march to Pinega
and says the nionth with first platoon at Soyla was the most pleasant month in Russia. Mentions the
sudden attack of Bolos at Verst 18, March 31. He and McDonald and Hyatt and William Lewis and
Herman were out cutting branches for their shelter. They hastened back to the barricade where Lt.
Stoner was directing the artillery support and Sgt. Getzloff and Archer and Rompinen were doing
good work with Lewis guns.
Pvt. Albertus Gray mentioned the arithmetic and granimmar classes that we had up there in Pinega some of those long nights. Tells of the little Russki girl who scalded her leg by tipping over
the samovar. The father first slapped her then started to put snow on the scalded place, but the boys
produced some butter and made him put that on instead. Pvt. Klimson is earning big wages as a
butcher in Chicago and says he never goes back to Russia. "For me good enough, U. S. A." Klimson
was in "the bloody fight at 458," and used to kid the men about going over south to ask the Bolos to
let him go see his father in Russia.
RUSSIAN FIELD PIECES


Here are our friends, the Russian artillerymen who earned our confidence and earned our friendship those
eight days last spring on the Bolsheozerke front. Who will forget their instant response with barrage whenever
the enemy pressed on his attack?
We respected our Canadian artillery and our French artillery units on the railroad front. But we give our
Russki comrades of the Bolsheozerke front credit for even more sterling work. We like to recall the fearless,
calm observer who exposed himself when necessary to direct the barrage upon the advancing enemy line.
We like to recall the memory of the Russian artillery lieutenant who reversed his two guns and gave the enemy
point-blank fire down the road to the rear. He had perfect command of his guns. Remember how he saw Pratt
wounded, held his fire and motioned Pratt to retire?
That was a hot place on the morning of March 31, where Pratt's Lewis gun team went forward to protect
the guns and engaged the enemy machine guns while the artillery fired squarely over them. And old Pratt lives
to tell the tale of that fight to save the two Russki field pieces the day we were cut off by the 2nd Moscow regiment.




Sgt. Zapfe writes a good story: "Here is one of a night spent in a small village a day's journey
from Archangel by sled. We were returning from Pinega last March and had very pleasant weather
for the journey. The days were growing longer and the sun seemed to shine to better purpose.
Lt. Primm had stayed in one section of the village with Lt. Wright and the fourth platoon. The
third platoon was sent over the hill to the other section. After making arrangements with the drivers
to start again in the morning it behooved Sgt. Peterson and I to find a resting place for the night. The
other men had already done so. Corp. Sjolin, having found where the school teacher lived, applied
there for admission for himself and Temple and Safer and us. We later learned that our hostess
was the priest's widow, and besides the school mistress there was a daughter and two children.
Such hospitality as we received is seldom equalled anywhere. Our Shackleton's and lumbermen's socks and mitts were put over the stove to dry, the samovar was brought forth and tea made.
After supper we repaid, or tried to repay, this kindness by entertaining them with a few American
songs. They in turn sang for us and the evening passed very pleasantly. The parlor was cleared of
its furniture and turned over to us for the night. It isn't difficult to believe that we were loath to
leave in the mnorning, is it?"
MECH. LAURSEN A PRISONER
"The experiences I have had the last year is certainly one of the greatest experiences one ever
could have had, and one that will not very easily be forgotten, especially the time when I was captured by the Bolsheviks on March 21, at 12 o'clock noon. After being searched they took me into the
woods on the right flank, where there were about 100 Bolos, and there I treated some of the officers,
who were on horseback, with what cigarettes I had with me. They seeme(d to have more respect for
the Americans than the other Russians did. I was there just a few minutes and then two guards took
me back to Bolshei Ozerki. I was taken to a building where I found Sgt. Leitzell, Freeman Hogan
and Mr. Ryall, a Y. M. C. A. man. The following morning we started on foot to Ymsie, which was
their headquarters on the railroad, the distance being 90 versts, with one fish and a pound of Russian
bread for our journey. On April 2nd, about 12 o'clock at night we reached their headquarters, where
they took our heavy clothing away from us and were examined and questioned and given ragged
clothing. Was then put into a box car, in which we stayed until the following night of the next day,
an(l then were sent to another town down the line, in which we stayed in a box car and were given
fish soup, and from there to Vologda; wve were taken to the prison there, where we stayed four days.
Then a Russian interpreter came and took us to Moscow, after which we were under no guards. We
were taken to a building where the French and English were quartered and given the liberty of the
city. Our provisions consisted of sour cabbage soup, 12 ounces of bread and horse meat once in a
while. The Bolsheviks would come and take us to their Bolshevik meetings and tried to teach us the
Bolshevik doctrine, and made us promise when we reached the States to preach and practice and
promnote Bolshevism at home (which we promised just then to get along).
Easter Sunday the Reds had a big parade in Moscow, after which Lenine gave a speech in the
Red Square, where he told the people that the United States was sending food to their country. That
was about the only way they could keep the people encouraged. And the Moscow papers also stated
that they had great victory on all the various fronts.
Moscow is a city of suffering and disorder people are starving from the lack of sufficient food.
Homes and public places have been sacked of all valuables and furniture broken up for firewood.
Horses dropping dead in the streets are butchered up and taken home by the people for meat. The
remains are left in the streets and gnawed at by cats and dogs.
One weak link in the Soviet government was that they could not regulate the high prices. What
food there was, was so high that only a few could buy it. This food was brought in by the people
living outside of Moscow, who raised it on their land and brought it in the city to sell. The government first tried to seize this foodstuff and sell it at Soviet prices, but the producers stopped bringing
in their products until the government was comnpelled to let them carry on their trade without any
interference.
The Bolsheviks respected the Americans and d(lid not treat them as captives, and when some
American newspaper reporters communicated with the Soviet government that we were held in
Moscow, we obtained our release, which came on May 18. Forty-eight days from the time I was cap

tured, we left the barracks at 3 o'clock, and arriving at the station we met the American newspaper
man, Mr. Taylor, who was taking us out of Russia. We left Moscow at 7 o'clock and arrived in Petrograd at 10 o'clock a. m., where we were taken to the Hotel Astoria and from there went to the International Red Cross of Petrograd. We were treated very good there. At 6:30 o'clock was taken to
the depot in an automobile and left there for Finland, where we had a long wait and a hard time before the Bolos would let us cross the line. Although we were left without a cent, as the Bolos had
taken everything away from us, we sure were a happy bunch when we got over the Finnish Front
Lines to a little station. There we had a little lunch, the first real food we had tasted since we left the




CORP. BOGACHEFF'S SQUAD GUARDING AVIATION FIELD
Here is the squad of "M" Co. out on the aviation field. Plane is just discernable on the left. Notice the long
Russian rifle comes up to the shoulder. Notice the men have on their steel helmets? Orders, you remember, to
carry gas masks and wear steel helmets at all times, even on fatigue.
Corp. Bogacheff had a very good squad. Remember he and three others were hard hit by shrapnel burst on
them at 445? They were standing outside during furious bombardment in obedience to an order to "stand to" at
dawn. The corporal thought he must watch for infantry attack on his post.
company. About 7 o'clock p. n. a special train cane for us and brought us to a little town called
Terijoka, about 50 kilometers from Petrograd. Was taken to a quarantine camp, which laid on the
coast of Finland Gulf. There were all summer homes along there. We had a good Russian bath
and got a clean change of underwear that same night, and it sure did feel good. May 21st the news
correspondent, Mr. Taylor, left for Helsingfors, and Mr. Ryal, the Y. M. C. A. man, gave us some
marks. On Friday, May 23, we got our pass and discharge and boarded a train for Abo, Finland,
where we took the boat for Stockholm, where we were treated very good and highly entertained.
We were a great curiosity to the people. Stayed there for a week and from there we passed through
Christiania and Bergen, Norway, Rotterdam, Holland, and through Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium.
From there we went to Paris where we stayed on (lay, and then to Brest, where we were two weeks
before we sailed for the Good Old United States.
CAPTURED BY BOLSHEVIKI
As Told By Sergeant Glen W. Leitzell.
"On March 31st, 1919, at 8:30, I left the front lines with a Russian driver and a comrade, Pvt.
Hogan, on my way back to Obozerkaya for supplies. About a quarter of a verst from our rear artillery, I was surprised by a patrol of Bolos (Bolsheviki), ten or twelve in number, who leaped out of
the snow banks and held us up at the point of pistols, hand grenades and rifles. They then stripped
us of our arms and hurried us off the road and into the woods. To my great surprise, I was joined
by Mr. Ryal, a Y. M. C. A. secretary, who had been taken five minutes before.
At once they started us on the trail back to their lines with one guard in front, three in the rear
and three on snow skies along the side. After walking through the woods for seven versts we reached
the village of Bolshie Ozeria. On our arrival there we were met by a great many Bolshevists who occupied the village and who tried to beat us with sticks and cursed and spat on us as we were shoved
along to the Commandant.
One of the first things we saw on our arrival here was a Russian sentry who had gone over from
our lines. They demanded our blouses and fur hats, also took our watches and rings. In a little while




we saw three others arrive Father Roche of the 17th King's Company, Liverpool, Private Stringfellow and Mechanic Laursen of our company who escaped being killed by machine gun fire; his
comrade, Mechanic Dial, the driver and horse being killed. One more prisoner arrived presently,
Lieut. Tatham of the Royal Air Force, who was the only survivor of his lot; two men, the driver and
horse being killed. The Lieutenant received an arm wound.
After our interview with the Commandant, we were escorted to another shack where we were
billeted in a filthy room, with a lot of Russian prisoners. We were given half a salt fish, sour black
bread and water for our meal. The bread was so hard and frozen we had to break it apart and cut
it up with an axe. We managed to eat some of this by washing it down with wvater.
After this meal we stretched out on the floor and slept until morning which was April 1st (sonme
April Fool Day, I said). We woke up rather stiff but sonmewhat rested after our tiresome day and
very hungry. Our breakfast, however, was the balance of the fish and bread. The guard then relieved us of our smnall pocket change and trinkets, after which we received our rations for the d(lay
consisting of a half of a can of horse meat, 1 salt fish and 12 ounces of black bread.
We were then taken to see the Conmmnandant who gave us a cigarette. This was very aceptable
as we were quite unnerved, not knowing what would happen to us and fearing we would be shot as
soon as they took us out. However, we learned we were to be sent to Moscow. The Commandant
took out his pistol and showed us on the map how our forces were surrounded by his troops and how
he was going to take our smnall band,, and how he would walk up and down the road and clear away
every obstacle the same as he had (lone at Shankhurst. According to the amount of men he had
around there it looked as if it were possible.
Later on we were started on our journey to Emsta. That day we walked 35 versts when we
reached a log hut along the road at 10 p. m. when we built a fire on the outside. We would sleep a
half hour in the hut and then go out and warm ourselves and so on through the night.
On April 2nd at 4 a. In. we started again, after a crust of breadl an(l a drink of water, and walked
27 versts to a village called Sheleska. Here we were searched properly and all papers thought to be
valuable were taken. After a meal of salt fish, black bread and fish oil (for brease) and hot water,
we were given a rest of one hour and then started on the road for Emnsta twenty-four versts away,
reaching there at 12 p. m. Here we were brought before the Commandant again and stripped of all
our clothing and given their dirty rags. After this we were locked up in a box car with three guards
and the next (lay the car was opened for the soldiers to see us and they had some trouble in keeping
the Bolos from crowding into the car.
On April 3rd our track left for Plesaeckaya. At this place we demande(d a bath which we received. We were fed some barley wash and rye bread which tasted a little better than our previous
rations. I paid 2 shillings (which I had concealed in mny shoe) for a tin can to put my food in and
used a stick for a spoon. After our bath we felt better as we were able to shake a few cooties. That
evening we were lined up along the box cars and asked if we knew we were to be shot but this
event I am thankful to say never happened. Father Roche was taken to the Conmmandant's car and
we did not see him until the next morning when he told us he had had a good night's sleep and expected to be returned back over the lines.
On April 5th we started for Naundomia, reaching there the next morning after a very cold night
and then for two days we had nothing to eat. On the 7th we reached Vologda and here we were
locked up with a lot of Russians and fed with black bread loaded with sand, some sour cabbage soul)
(about 25 had to eat out of one bucket). We purchased a wooden spoon here which was quite a
treat. We were questioned by a secret service officer who could speak English well.
After three days we started for Moscow, at 24-hour journey by rail. These trains were run only
once a week as there were no materials to repair equipment. On our arrival we found the city
streets muddy, heaps of snow and dead horses among the rubbish, no business places open, all stores
having been looted, here and there a stand where horse meat, salt fish, carrots or parsnips and sour
milk could be bought. However, there was very little to be had at any price. On our arrival at
billets we joined the other prisoners, English, French and Scotch.
The next morning at 10 a. mI. we were wondering what we would eat and the answer was twelve
noon. When the rations came they consisted of sonme cabbage soup with a little dead horse meat
or salt fish and 12 ounces of black bread. We had the samne mnenu for supper at 5 p. in.. Conditions
were very bad; no way of getting food into the city and many people were starving. All were rationed people. Those that d(lid strenuous work got a half pound of bread a day; those who did light


work got one-fourth pound, an(d they maintain their army this way, in other words, fight or starve.
Liberty is unknown in Russia. Their motto from my point of view is "What is yours is mine."
We finally received our release in this way: Mr. Frank Taylor, newspaper reporter, helped us
along by stating that American troops were withdrawing from Archangel and the Soviet Government was satisfied that we were good believers in B3olshevism. After a number of lectures and as
they wished to be recognized by the U. S. they gave passports for Finland. The propaganda did not
deceive us.




We were not delayed until we reached the Finnish border. Here a young sailor who was in
command refused to permit us to cross the station, our papers did not satisfy him. The train pulled
out for Petrograd carrying 400 women, children and babies, penniless, weeping and starving because a Blosheviki whim prevented them going. Under the influence of flattery he softened a little
and agreed to let us go.
'We were then stripped and searched inch by inch, all money and credentials, letters, propaganda and wireless proposals to our government sealed by the Bolsheviki foreign office were taken.
As we left the office the soldiers in command were eagerly grabbing for Mr. Taylor's American
money-all they left us was Russian roubles which are of no value. After a two kilometer walk carrying a sick English soldier, we reached the little bridge which gave us freedom.
TWO COMRADES DIED SINCE DISCHARGE
Comrades Bracci and Bahr have both died since coming home-both have, like our brave comrades who died in Russia, gone to answer to Heaven's sad "Last Call. Streit lost an arm last fall in
a corn shredder. Rouleau has recently buried his wife. Drews is bothered by his wounded foot.
Keller is still in bad shape but hopeful, and Austin needs to go to New Mexico for his lungs. Pratt,
who was given up for dead, survived his wound and is at Michigan Agricultural College.
Most of the men have written cheerful reports of good health and good luck.
Co I M r3$ EVEN I N G DIS P9rc H
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY  19, lr,.+
AMERICA LOOKS MIGHTY GOOD AFTER YOU'VE SEEN EUROPE
GO ON - -^Kea -HAT SFF BACK ob,'  W ERE You GOT i-  -  I WOULD N'
"America Looks Mighty Good After You've Seen Europe," is the title.
On the right stands the Bolshevik orator on a soap box. His satchel bursting out with propaganda and
pamphlets on Bolshevism from Europe. In his hand he holds a pamphlet that has a message for the returning
doughboys. The agitator's hair and wihskers bristle with hatred and envy. His yellow teeth look hideous between
his snarling lips. And he points a long, skinny finger for the doughboy to see his message, which is "Down with
America, It's All Wrong." So much for the man who came from Europe to wreck America.
T  4'   Aleq
CATO    -ETRE           OUHO         O  OSEI
Anohe ylloedan tateedcaroo tat un o th blltinbordat 66whn te no              wa sipin
way.
Nmerica, It's All Wrong." So much for the man who came fromt Europe to wreck America.


Now look at the Man Who Went to Europe to Save America, and is now back on the west side of the Statue of
Liberty. Does he look interested in Bolshevism or downhearted over America? No. In his figure a manful contrast to the scraggly agitator. In his face no hate, no malice. He does not even hate the self-deluded agitator.
His clean-brushed teeth are exposed by a good-humored smile of assurance and confidence. He does not extend a fist but he waves off the fool Bolshevik orator with a good-natured but nevertheless final answer. And here
it is: "GO ON-TAKE THAT STUFF BACK TO WHERE YOU GOT IT          I WOULDN'T TRADE A LOG HUT ON A
SWAMP IN AMERICA FOR THE WHOLE OF EUROPE!"
I'm thinking the cartoon just about says it for all "M" Co. men. We want nothing to do with the Bolo agitator
in this country who would make another Russia of the United States. Let them have passage in the Anarchistic
Ark if they persist in trying to bring about destruction of our government. Treat all patiently but punish those
who are proved to be trying to destroy our government and start class war in this land.




GENERAL IRONSIDE'S LETTER
Archangel, March 18, 1919.
My Dear Moore:
I want to thank vou for all the hard work vou did when in conmmand of the Pinega area. You
had many dealings with the Russians, and organized their defence with great care and success.
All the reports I have received from the Russian authorities express the fact that you dealt with
them sympathetically under many difficult circumstances.
As you probably found, responsibility at such a distance from headquarters is difficult to bear,
even for an experienced soldier, and I think you carried out your duties as Comnlmander with great
credit.
I am especially pleased with the mianner in which you have looked after your men, which is
often forgotten by the non-professional soldier. In such conditions as those prevailing in Russia,
unless the greatest care is taken of the men, they lose health and heart and are consequently no
good for the job for which they are here.
Believe me yours very sincerely,
(Signed) EDMONI IRONSIDE,
Major General,
Commanding Allied Forces Northern Russia.
[EDITOR's NOTE -I thought you would pardon ihe editor for including this letter in the book. The general
ought to have thanked the company instead of one member of it, but he meant it that way. He told me personally I was fortunate to have command of such a company of soldiers. And I was lucky, and I had also a fine bunch
of officers to assist in commanding the company.]
CORP. BLACKBURN WRITES AS FOLLOWS
It seems natural to be back in civilian life and an working at my trade, Auto Trilmmer. It was
very hard the first couple of weeks, but am used to it now. I have to get up at 5:30 a. in., but have
no bugle call.
Your letter reminds ime of many little incidents that happened, while we were in Russia. One
was while we were at 445 building the barricades. It was very cold and the Sergeant brought out a
jug of rum and was giving each man his portion when the Bolos commenced shelling on us. We
all beat it to the Station House, the Sergeant leaving the jug of runm on the ground. After the shelling ceased, one of my men wnent out in an awful hurry an(l got the jug of ruin, while the Sergeant
went to other posts to see if everything was 0. K., and forgot all about the rum, but the man who
left the Station House in a hurry didn't. We saw him with the jug in one hand and a big glass full
in the other hand, drinking it as though it was water, and he was very thirsty. So we all went over
and joined him and took our big share that was comnig to us before the Bolos fired on us. The
man who got there first dlid not care whether the Bolos fired on himl or not and said, "Fire on me all
you want to, I'm happy."
SPRING ON THE VOLOGDA LINE


Sunshine and balmy winds, warmth, and fragrance of pines,
On Verst 455 Vologda Railway.
Spring fever would get us within its confines,
Malady langorous, neither work nor play,
Protection would be if one certainthing
Lacking were not. Can guess, my dear?
Women. Our kind of women and girls, and spring
Captive would hold us, even out here.
Home, back home, we remember well
Spring fever "pushes" that hit us hard
And broke our lines. No words can tell
How apple blossom and verdant sward,
Sunny lane, and bursting bud,
And white dressed woman,-how, I say,
Feverish made our amorous blood,
When they were with us in April or May.
Four-fifty-five you're changing hue.
Pines are putting on fresher green.
Moss lifts tiny arms up to the blue,
Its white oppressor no longer is seen,
And stretches itself for a summer gay.
Gone is the deadening far-spread white,
Pine stems and birch now merge away
Into the grey-black shades of night.


Now the white-vested crow croaks coaxings soft
To his mate who sits in the white birch tree,
While he flirts his wings with preenings oft
And she croaks back admiringly.
Birch toward birch sways in the breeze
And pine to pine whispers low.
Mates in nature in spring aim to please
One the other. God made them so.
Bullfinch, newly come, sitting there still,
Handsome breasted and stylish of tip,
Trimly bodied and smart of bill
You of the graceful glide and dip,
Open your song and let's hear tell
How snow has slipt through tundra by stream
A-meandering 'round many versts to swell
Broad rising noble ships-carrier-Dvina.
Oh bird from the south, why silent sit?
All nature's emotions now swell to burst
And seek expression or ill of fit.
Spring has come and now you durst
Hop and dance and call and drum,
Serenade sweetly, pleadingly sing.
Oh, do you wait for her to come?
Or don't you know, sir, that it's spring?




A Clipping from Home
A blood-stained Oddfellow receipt is a sad remembrance of their son, Floyd A., which Mr. and
Mrs. George E. Sickles have recently received from Capt. Joel R. Moore, commanding Co. M., 339th
Inf., in Northern Russia.
It will be remembered that this young man was accidentally killed on Dec. 6, 1918, and while the
Captain's letter does not specifically state, the recent government reports state that he was killed by
a bomb accidentally dropped from an Allied aeroplane. Capt. Moore pays a splendid tribute to his
soldierly as well as his social qualities. The receipt in question bears the stains of the young man's
life blood which he gave in the cause of liberty, freedom and humanity. Notwithstanding the terrific explosion the treasured slip of paper is perfectly intact and as legible as the day it was written
by J. F. Caswell, the local secretary, of May 23, 1918.
Floyd was a general favorite around town and his many friends deeply regret his untimely death.
The letter which is highly treasured by Mr. and Mrs. Sickles is as follows:
Archangel, Russia, December 14, 1918.
Mr. George Sickles,
Deckerville, Michigan.
My Dear Sir:
This is the saddest letter which I have had to write since I brought my company into Northern
Russia. Your son, Floyd A. Sickles, was instantly killed at Verst 445 on December 6th, 1918, by the
explosion of a 112 lb. bomb, which dropped from an aeroplane. \We buried him in the shell crater
made by the bomb, and when the frozen clods of earth were laid tenderly over his remains there
was not an officer or man in the company who did not feel that he was putting a good and true brave
friend into his final resting place.
Your son was a universal favorite in the company. He always had a good word for everybody,
and everybody had a good word for him. He was our company barber. Officers and men found it
a pleasure to employ him. At the time he was killed he was acting as corporal of his squad. No
doubt, if he had continued with the company he would have risen in the ranks.
You will receive, through the proper military channels, notice of his death, and also the personal property which I collected. I am sorry that I could not find it all. The terrific explosion totally destroyed his pack and haversack. His razor was in several pieces. His comb is gone. The
stone which I am returning to you I am told he prized very highly because his father had given it to
him. I thought also that you would like his shaving brush and mug.
I am enclosing in this letter one piece of property which I thought I would prefer to send to you
direct. It is his last lodge receipt given by the Oddfellows, June 30th, 1918. I thought perhaps this
might have something to do with insurance.
The death of your son has cast a gloom over our company. Men and officers have not ceased to
mourn his loss. I assure you that you have my sincerest condolences.
I beg to remain,
Yours very truly,
JOEL R. MOORE, Captain,
339th Infantry,
Commanding Co. "M."
THE STOUT-HEARTED AND THEIR FRIENDS BACK HOME
The sun,                                  lBe patient all
It shines.                                 The while
Oh, boy!                                   We're getting ready to cut loose.
The snow,                                  Complaining must give way
It melts.                                  To cheerful views of things.
Oh, joy!                                   We'll prouder be this day a-year
The ice,                                   If we can summon fron our mem'ries back
Will soon                                  The visions of ourselves in Russia drear


Be gone.                                    A-playing the game with manly heart
And boats will come                         A-holding our own though others crack,
To take us home.                            A-making the best of hardships' test
Gee, aren't you glad?                       A-sticking it through to the end.
Nobody's mad
At anyone these days                        And we
Except the Bolshevik.                       Are men
That can
And will.
The above appeared on the company bulletin board in April, 1919, and fairly represented the spirit of the men
of "M" Co.-EDITOR.




Company Diary from Custer to Russia
and Return
Kept by Sgt. Dundon and Corp. Swift.


JULY
July 14-Left (amp Custer at 4:00 p. m. on M. C. train.
Red Cross served men at Detroit.
July 15-Arived at Weehawken at 6:00 p. m. Took
ferry to Long Island City at 6:30 p. m. Long delay
there. Arrived Camp Mills 1:25 a. m.
July 16-Camp Surgeon's examination. Co. on guard.
July 17-Company suffered casualty from   Germans
"German Measles" captured Corp. Weid's squal.
July 18-Inspector paid "M" Co. fine compliment on
condition of equipment.
July 19-Old "Sarge" Tannihill visited company.
July 20 —Final inspection of men. Barrack bags loaded.
July 21-By train to Long Island City. By ferry to
Pier 61, N. Y. C. * Red Cross service. Embarked
on U. S. S. Harrisburg (the old Philadelphia converted into an armored transport.)
July 22-Sailed for England. German submarine attacked our fleet of 16 troopships. No chance to
get us. Navy protection tight. Alarm at night, also.
July 23-25-Calm sea; warm.
July 26-27-Rough seas.
July 28-31-Cold, rough, rainy passage. Ships went far
north. Lost course and went too near Iceland.
AUGUST
August 1-Eleventh day at sea on the U. S. S. S. Harrisburg. Cruiser turned back to U. S.
August 2 —"M" Co. on guard. All up and in boat drill
position at 3:30 a. in. In sub zone. Foggy. Our
sub-chasers evidently caught a submarine with
depth bombs.
August 3-At 4:46 a. m. took on our pilot in the Mersey
River. Lay at anchor all day and night.
August 4-Disembarked at 8:45 a. In. for Liverpool.
Marched over the cobble pavements to station. By
Midland Ry. to Brookwood Station in Aldershott
area, near London. Marched mile to Stoney Castle
C(amp. First taste of British army rations. "Baa,
Baa, old sheep."
August 5-Rest and cleaning up.
August 6 —I)rill. March to Frimely Green.
August 7 —It. Primm,l Corps. Rahn and Russell to Lewis
gun school. Unofficially learned that 339th goes
to Archangel, Russia.
August 8-10-Drill.
August 1 1 —Sunday in "Merry England."
August 12-13-Drill. Men on pass to London.
August 14-Co. exchanged rifles for Russian rifles.
August 15-16-17-Drill and drawing new equipment for
Russia.
August 18-Sunday, rest.
August 19-Pay day.
August 20 —Fired men on 200 yd. and 300 yd. ranges.
August 21-24-Drill and inspection an( transportation
of baggage.
August 25-By train to Newcastle and embarked on
H. M. S. "Somali."
August 26-Sailed for Archangel. Co. on guard.
August 27-31-On board "Somali" in Arctic Ocean. No
incidents.
SEPTEMBER
September 1-3-On board "Somali" in White Sea. "Flu"
on board ship.
September 4-Arived port of Archangel on board the
"Somali."
September 5-Disembarked at Bakaritza in the afternoon and left very hurriedly for the front in a
train of taplooshkas, travelling in company with
"K" Co. all night, but slowly.


September 6-"K"-"M" train stopped in morning near
siding south of Tundra for the day and night. Salvaged Saa.


September 7 —Company arrived at Obozerskaya late in
the afternoon and took over the outpost held by
"I" alnd "lU" (os. Company weak owing to large
number of men left at Bakaritza sick with Influenza
-178 men. No shelters on outposts except at three
posts. It. Carpenter detailed for special duty with
Bn. Hq. as Bn. Supply Officer. Lts. Stoner and
Primmn on special duty at machine gun schools at
Bakaritza, leaving Lts. Ionovan and Wieczorek
and Capt. Moore with Co. Took all officers and
men for the outpost. Rain.
September 8 ---Lt. Stoner reported to Co. and was detailed as Bn. Iewis Gun Officer. Co. Hq. set up in
small freight house. "'" Co. men took over the
train of taplooshkas that "M" Co. had arrived in
and fitted them for their quarters. "I" Co. men carried rations to our men on outpost. The outpost
line was 41/2 miles long. A day's work for the outpost commander to inspect. 13 men to hospital,
Bakaritza ---Influenza.
September 9 —It. Stoner and Lt. Lipp worked on Lewis
gun situation. Co. on outpost duty. Patrol sent in
afternoon to investigate reported operation of enemy patrol on right flank south. No enemy found.
it. Stoner and Capt. Moore moved quarters from
guard house to box car.
September 10-Ice on ground this morning. Men on
outpost wet and cold. "I" Co. relieved "M" Co.
outpost duty (luring (lay. Co. found quarters in
village on (nega Road. Officers given front room
of fine home.
September 11 ---FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH ENEMY.
Alarm at the front this morning. Maj. Young sent
(apt. Moore and It. I)onovan, Lt. Stoner and Lt.
WAiezorek and 104 men, all that were available, the
rest being on interior guard duty and fatigue duty.
Arrived by train at house near 468, passed through
l)anley's advanced outpost, with orders to move
south and clear up the situation as to the advance
of the enemy armored train and as to the presence
of enemy infantry which was reported in strength
1500 yds. to the south. Overtook Lt. Williams of
"'" Co. with strong patrol which had not made
contact with enemy. Our progress rapid for front
468 to 466 we were advancing under shrapnel fire
which followed us up. Enemy held south of siding at 466 and offered strong resistance to our
envelopment of their left flank by Lt. Wiezorek's
platoon. Corporal O'Connor's advance party engaged the enemy and after an hour's fight the siding was gained. Lt. Donovan took all but two
squads and cleared the siding on the right flank
and pushed on a verst to the south, driving the
enemy before him. Enemy protected his retreat
with heavy machine gun on the railway. Firing
very wild on both sides. No casualties from shrapnel fire or rifle fire. Enemy infantry and armored
train retreated at 3:30 p. m. By order of Maj. Turner, "M" Co. retired to 466 and organized the siding for defense. Two Vickers guns with Br. teams
and two Lewis guns and seven other posts around
the clearing for defense. Lt. Jahns brought out
two boxes of corned beef and 2 boxes hardtack and
a small quantity of tea. The stew he left on the
train by mistake. He brought nearly enough
blankets to go around. Cold night. No incidents.
September 12-O(rdered by Maj. Young to hold in readiness for immediate return to Obozerskaya. Sent
patrols to the flanks and forward. Sgt. Walker
reconnoitered the bridge at 464 and found that the
bridge was   destroyed. Corporal Montgomery
brought in a deserter who stated that the enemy
force the day before at siding had been 200. This
was corroborated by the statement of the old man
and son, keepers of the siding, who crawled out of
their garret after the battle and showed signs of
relief when our men fed them and proved that
American soldiers were protectors and not raiders.


Company was relieved at 3:00 p. m. by "L" Co.
and rode from 467 to 474 on the armored train.
Col. Sutherland came this day to relieve Col.




Guard. Will not forget Col Guard's mean accusation against Lt. Danley.
September 13-Col. Sutherland went over the outpost
with me. Maj. Young on sick list. The new 0. C.
peculiar in views of intrenchments. Old man cannot see that bush warfare should be different from
No Man's Land on Western Front. Insists on "all
round defense" of every little post no matter what
its situation or purpose. Co. relieved "I" Co. on
outpost duty in afternoon.
September 14-Co. on. outpost duty. Stretched from
468 on south to 475a2 on the north. Very difficult
to get rations out to them.  Water has to be
brought a mile from the river. American soldiers
seen daily pumping water from the river into the
Russian locomotives by Russian workmen. Some
management. Higher authority thinks the Americans "will get along somehow." Renike, American newspaper correspondent, arrived.
September 15-Mai. Young still on sick list, but better.
He went to 466 to stay out all night with Capt.
Cherry. Enemy airplane flew over 474 and dropped three bombs. No damage. He crashed to the
railroad about 500 yds. beyond advanced outpost
at 464. Aviator escaped. Maj. Young gave his famous command: "Don't fire! We're Americans."
Co. still on outpost and building defenses.
September 16-M. G. Platoon arrived this morning and
messed with "M" Co. Enemy attacked "L" Co. at
464 and two platoons of "I" Co. went to support
Co. had taken over interior guard and was about
to be relieved by "I" Co. when the mid-day attack
came at 464. Co. had to remain on outpost.
September 17-Co. still on outpost duty.
September 18-Co. relieved from outpost duty in the
afternoon by "L" Co. except at No. 2 and the interior guard. In the evening we buried the first three
Americans killed in Russia. Col. Stewart visited
camp but did not visit "M" Co. and did not stay
for funeral.
September 19-Co. took over outpost again. It. Wieczorek and 25 men sent out on Tiogra Road 14
versts to relieve Lt. Williams, "L" Co. Lt. Primm
reported for duty with Co. Started Lewis gun instruction.
September 20-Co. on outpost duty.
September 21 —Co. on outpost duty. Moved outpost a
verst further west on Onega Road by verbal order
of Col. Guard, who returned yesterday. Outpost
relieved by "I" Co. late afternoon.
September 22-"L" Co. left today. Lewis gun practice
for "M" Co. men.
September 23-Co. took over outpost at 466 and 464.
September 24-Cossacks and Americans patrolled to
458, riding most of way on armored train. Pvt.
Donnor got lost. Visited enemy camp by mistake,
but escaped.
September 25-Col. Stewart and Maj. Young visited us.
Brief shelling by enemy this morning.
September 26 —Wiring our defenses. Lt. Stoner took
patrol to 458. Sgt. Hebner took squad to 461, but
was recalled by order Maj. Young.
September 27 —Lt. Donovan took patrol to 468. l)>fense completed.
September 28-Co. started off late in afternoon on the
memorable flank march at midnight into impassable morass.
September 29-Co. retraced its march to 461. One platoon in action at 458 bridgehead. 10 casualties as
reported elsewhere.
September 30-Co. still at front 461 and 458. Action
again.
OCTOBER


October 1-One platoon relieved from duty at front
line, one platoon relieved from duty at 461 and
from outpost duty at 470 and the Co. assembled
at 466.
October 2-Outpost duty at 466, 464 and 470. Officer's
patrol send to find route to 455.
October 3 —Officer's patrol returned at noon. Prepared
to move Co. to 461. Account deficient train service relief took from 12:20 p. m. to 2:00 a. m.
October 4-Co. at 461 constructing quarters. Relieved
two "I" Co. Platoons at the front 458/2 and 461.
Relieved by "I" Co. and assembled at 466 at 3:30


p. m. Corporal Messersmith and four privates sent
as escort to Lt. Ray Johnson on six-day trip to
Chikueva.
(ctober 6 —First mail bag for "M" Co. Rest. Reorganized Co. into four sections for the coming "push."
October 7-Amalgamation of French and Americans for
attack on 455 and 457X2. Stoner and Wieczorek's
platoons with Capt. Boyer's sections. Lt. Primm's
platoon with Lt. Soyer's section. Drill on woods
marching and approach.
October 8 —Drill with French. Lt. W. K. Wright and
25 men joined Co.
October 9-Drill with French.
October 10-11-Attack formations practiced in woods.
October 12-Final preparations for attack. Corporal
Messersmnith returned with his escort. Thirty
more casuals attached to Co.
Ocotber 13-Co. less 4th platoon left 466 with French
at 8:30 and 461 entered woods for flank march to
position near 455 under shell fire (luring first hour.
Signal fired before shelling began. No casualties.
Camped in Hollow square in woods near 454. Lt.
Primm went to 456X2 for night.
October 14-Up before dawn so as to reach our objective, the siding at 455 before zero, which was 6:30.
Enemy evidently was tipped off. Our advance
platoon was attacked and our whole body compelled to start the charge while still in the woods.
Enemy position carried. Two machine guns taken.
Very serious losses inflicted on enemy train that
pulled out under heavy fire. Our casualties-1
killed "M" Co. and 4 wounded. French, 2 wounded.  Consolidated the position.  Meanwhile Lt.
Primm and Lt. Soyer, who had marched by flank
on 457'2 after artillery preparation, carried the
enemy positions there and joined the FrenchAmerican combination at 455.
October 15-Outpost duty at 455 and rest. Buried
Pvt. Merrick at 455.
October 16-Dissolved French-American combination
and reorganized Co. into four platoons. Moved
toward front at 3:00 p. m. to relieve "I" Co. at 466
"somewhere" in the woods fighting the enemy.
Relieved May's platoon at 448 and rest of men
slept on arms in the open. 4th platoon outpost at
466, 464, 458.
October 17-Three platoons moved forward before
dawn to relieve "I" Co. at 446 and start forward at
6:30 under artillery barrage, to push enemy back
from positions in woods and carry the curve in
track beyond siding 445. It. Stoner and It. Wieczorek's platoons on right and left and Lt. Primm's
platoon in reserve 200 yds. behind.  Obiective
reached and enemy defeated before 9:15. French
Co. under Lt. Apsche came on to support and
helped consolidate position. Lt. Primm's platoon
consolidated the advance outpost line at curve 444.
4th platoon as on 16th. No casualties. Enemy
dead, 9; prisoners, 4. 28 civilian prisoners sent
to rear. Safeguard put on Russian house.
October 18-Holding the position and preparing shelters for men on outposts. Royal Scots came and
took over advanced outpost line.
October 19-At 4:00 a. m. Royal Scots precipitated
rifle fire exchange. At 4:05 enemy began severe
bombardment of our position. "M" Co. suffered
four casualties-1 Corporal and three Privates
wounded by shrapnel. Bomb-proofs constructed
in afternoon. 4th platoon still on outpost duty
466, 464, 458.
October 20-Shell fire in forenoon, Pvt. Boysen
wounded. Co. relieved in afternoon by "I" Co.
Whole Co. except one squad at 452 assembled in
Co. train at 455.
October 21 —Co. Ioved to 466 for rest and outpost
duty. One squad at 452.


October 22-Issued winter clothing to men. Squad returned from 452.
October 23-Co. rested at 466. Medals presented to
Sgt. Grahek and Pvt. C. Miller.
October 24 —Co. moved back to front. One squad left
at 466, one at 452, remainder of 4th platoon at 448,
three platoons to front to relieve Capt. Alliez. Enemy machine gun fire at 9:15 p. m.
October 25 —Holding front line and 448.
October 26 —Holding front line and 448. Desultory firing by enemy at random.




October 27-Holding front line and 448. Not a shot
fired by "M" Co.
October 28 —Holding front line and 448. Daily patrols
on Co. flanks.
October 29-Holding front line and 448.
October 30 —Relieved in forenoon by "I" Co. Assembled Co. at 448, returned to 455 and started for 466
but by some blunder of trainmen or British RT(
our train went through to Isaka Gorka.
October 31-Co. awoke in Isaka Gorka, went back to
Obozerskaya, arriving at dark and taking over the
outposts from the French Co. First platoon went
on to relieve French outpost at 466.
NOVEMBER
November 1-One platoon on outpost duty at 466. Glad
to get back to bathouse. Remainder of Co. very
much occupied in outpost duty at Obozerskaya.
Sgt. Gray with 10 men and 2 British telephone men
sent to establish intelligence station at Bolsheozerskaya.  He stopped at Malozerskaya for the
night. "K" and "L" Co. men assembled with "M"
Co., prepared for departure to Kodish. Lt. Hallock to conduct party.
November 2-Disposition as day before.    Sgt. Gray
reached  Bolsheozerskaya in afternoon. Enemy
raided a distant part of village and retired in haste
when informed that Americans were present. Sgt.
Gray patrolled village as soon as informed, but
enemy patrol of 28 men got away. Lt. Hallock
left late in the afternoon for Seletscoe with only
"L" Co. reinforcements, "K" men had to wait for
transportation.  Lt. Jahns here to conduct them
tomorrow.
November 3-Lt. Jahns took the 32 "K" men away to
Seletscoe. This ruins the 4th platoon. Co. on duty as
dlay before.  Report from Sgt. Gray at Bolsheozerskaya that he had organized volunteer Russian
home defense and intelligence force at Bolsheozerskaya. Information  from  escaped  prisoner
(Russian) that enemy was soon to make advance.
(Next day enemy attacked 445.)
November 4-Lt. Primm at 9:30, with 15 U. S. Troops,
6 U. S. Marines, and 41 S. B. A. L. went to Bolsheozerskaya. One platoon at 466. Sgt. Gray and 2
squads sent to relieve outpost at 458. Enemy attacked "I" Co. at 445 and were repulsed.
November 5-Co. less Lt. Primm's detachment and lhh
2nd Platoon left Obozerskaya at 7:00 a. m. for
front sector, picking up 2nd Platoon at 466 an(d
making relief of French Co. at 455. Reorganized
the outpost. 1 platoon of "I" Co. attached to "M"
Co. at 455 on account of use of Lt. Prinmm's detachment at Bolsheozerskaya. This platoon held in
reserve.
November 6-1st Platoon cutting fire lanes for blockhouses. 2nd Platoon on outpost duty. Sgt. Grahek
reconnoitered the trail supposed to lead west to a
lake. Baffled by swamp 2 versts west. No dry wood
in camp. Detail sent to 466 to load car. Lt. Wykoff
re-enacted burial of Pvt. Merrick. Major Nichols
left for Archangel.
November 7-Lt. Primm and 26 men marched in from
Bolsheozerskaya and Lt. Fistler's platoon joined
"I" Co. at Obozerskaya. 1st platoon given V. B.
instruction. Work by balance of Co. on blockhouses.
November 8-4th Platoon cut fire lanes for blockhouses
at 458. Balance men working on blockhouses. It.
Wright and 4 squads sent at night to guard engineer crew cleaning wreck on front line sector of
railroad. Admiral McCully and Colonel Ruggles
visited 455 today. Lt. Ryan and It. Lennon visited
Co. and stayed all night.


November 9-Chauchot instruction Lt. Stoner's platoon. Maj. Alabernarde loaned Co. three French
soldiers and a Chauchot gun for instruction. Sgt.
Zapfe's outpost relieved at 3:30 p. m. Co. all together again. Capt. Prince guest of Co.
November 10-Co. paraded for Gen Ironsides and to
witness the bestowal of decorations on several British Officers, French and American soldiers. Co.
entrained for Bakaritza, arrived at 8:00 p. m.
November 11-Co. crossed river to Smolny barracks.
November 12-Detail sent back to train to bring field
range. Co. to bathhouse.
November 13-14-Co. drilled 3 hours.


November 15-Co. drilled 3 hours. Deloused Co.
November 16-Col. Stewart inspected the Co. Red
Cross stores brought by detail.
November 17 Detail of 27 men sent Bakaritza to work
on troop train. Issue of Red Cross outfits.
November 18-Close order drill 3 hrs. Physical exam.
by Dr. Pyle. 10 men plucked.
November 19-3 hours close order drill. Capt. Prince
gave very interesting lecture to Co. on Bolshevism
in Russia.
November 20-Inspection at 11:00 a. m. by General
Ironsides.
November 21 —Co. had second "Cootie" inspection.
Bathed and washed clothes.
November 22 —Co. left Smolny quay about 12:45 p. m.
Left Archangel Preestin about 3:00 and proceeded
to Verst 46.
November 23-At 2:30 a. m. at Obozerskaya exchanged
Russian Lewis guns and equipment for English
make, proceeded to 466. Left 466 at 8:00 a. m. and
effected relief of French Co. Second Platoon went
to 448 for outpost duty.
November 24-One platoon at 448, one platoon on outpost 455. Remainder of Co. helping Engineers
with wire and building.
November 25-27-Same as 24th.
November 28-One-half (lay fatigue. Y. M. C. A. put on
Thanksgiving Day program.
November 29-Relieved French Co. at 446 and 445.
November 30-Fourth platoon at 446, 1 platoon plus
two Lewis guns on outpost, 1 platoon on fatigue.
DECEMBER
December 1-Co. on front line. One platoon at Verst
446. 1-2 platoons plus two L. G. gun teams on outpost duty. Remainder of Co. on fatigue, building
block houses, wire entanglements, etc. Sgt. Zapfe
patrolled right flank, Sgt. Hudson left flank.
December 2-Still on front line. Disposition of Co.
same. Usual patrols sent out.
December 3-Still on front line. Chauchot instruction,
patrols and fatigue. Lt. Donovan returned from
hospital to duty.
December 4-Still on front line. Disposition of Co.
same as of 2nd. Enemy patrol fired on outpost
just as Co. was lining up for chow, 8:00 a. m.
December 5-Should have been relieved today. Orders
changed, disposition of Co. same as of 2nd.
I)ecemnber 6-Relieved at 12:00 noon today. Just before being relieved our position was raided by
Allied aeroplane (British) killing Pvt. Floyd A.
Sickles, and wounding Pvt. Frank Lachachke. Two
bombs were dropped, one missing our position at
bridge by about 20 feet. The other took northwest
corner off of building occupied by 1st platoon,
causing the above mentioned casualties. Balance
of Co. had narrow escape from L. G. fire from aeroplane. Pvt. Sickles body was interred in crater
made by bomb. Co. then started for Obozerskaya.
Left one-half of 2nd platoon at Verst 458, other
half of 2nd platoon and Lt. Wieczorek at Verst 466.
Remainder of Co. went to Verst 455 arriving at
1:00 p. In., picked up seven cars of Co. train and
proceeded to Obozerskaya, arriving at 7:00 p. m.
Posted 64 men on outpost, relieving French.
December 7-Lt. Primmi and 26 E. M. left for Bolsheozerskaya at 8:00 a. m. Patrols sent out on left
flank.
l)ecember 8-One-half of 2nd platoon at Verst 458, the
other half on 2nd platoon and Lt. Wieczorek at
466. I,t. Primmn and 26 E. M. of 3rd platoon at
Bolsheozerskaya, 65 E. M. on outpost at Obozerskaya. Balance of Co. on fatigue.
l)Dceember 9-Disposition of Co. same as of 8th. Court
of inquiry today in regard to air raid on 6th.


I)ecember 10-l)isposition of Co. same as 8th E. M. and
officer of "G" Co. arrived at Obozerskaya at 6:30
p. in. on A. & V. By.
)December 11-"G" Co. men relieved 1st and 4th platoons of "M" Co. from outpost duty at about noon.
1st and 4th platoons and Co. Hq. prepared to leave
for Pinega. They left Obozerskaya at 10:00 p. m.
on A. & V. By.
l)ecember 12-Arrived in Bakaritza at 4:00 a. m.
Turned in some clothing and equipment and drew




some supplies and left Bakaritza at 4:00 p. m.
Crossed river on ice and went into quarters at
Sinolny Barracks, Archangel. Lt. Wright and men
recrossed river tonight and got kitchen supplies.
)ecember 13-Co. preparing for march to Pinega, 204
versts northeast of Archangel. Dental work, deloused, recrossed ice to Bakaritza and got remainder of supplies. The men pulled the sleds across
the ice.
December 14-16 —Men rested, bathed, dental work and
drew equipment.
December 17-Today we drew some Red Cross supplies, made final preparations to leave for Pinega.
I)ecenmbr 18-The Co., less three officers and 117 E. M.
with Vologda forces. 37 men absent sick and one
man in confinement, left Archangel at 11:55 a. m.
with 65 Russian ponies, sleds and Russian drivers
to carry supplies. Marched 16 versts. Put up for
the night in Uimra.
December 19-Arrangements made for one officer, 1st
sergeant and two cooks to leave each station in advance of sled-train each day in order to have quarters and warm meal ready when Co. arrived. It
worked good the entire trip. Co. left Uima at 8:00
a. ni., arriving Lyavla at 3:30 p. m. Iistance traveled 17 versts.
I)ecember 20-Left Lyavla at 8:00 a. m., arriving Kuskola 2:00 p. m. Distance traveled 19 versts.
)ecember 21-Left Kuskola at 8:00 a. m., arriving at
Kholmogori at 1:30 p. in., drew five days' rations
and men made themselves comfortable for a day's
rest. Distance traveled 19 versts.
December 22-Today we drew more supplies. Issued
gloves, etc. Men rested and prepared for balance
of the journey.
December 23-Left Kholmogori at 9:00 a. in., arriving
Ust-Pinega at 1:45 p. in. Distance traveled 21
verst.
December 24-Left Ust-Pinega 8:00 a. m., arriving
Verkne-Palenga 1:00 p. m. Distance traveled 23
verst.
I)ecember 25 —Left Verkne-Palenga 8:00 a. m., arriving
Leunova at 1:00 p. m. Distance traveled 21 verst.
December 26 —eft Leunova at 8:00 a. In., arriving at
Gbach at 2:00 p. m. Distance traveled 22 verst.
December 27-Left Gbach at 8:00 a. Im., arriving Soyalski at 11:30 a. In. Left Soyalski in relays from 2:30
p. m. to 8:00 p. in., arriving in Pinega from 8:30
p. mi. to 3:00 a. m. Distance traveled 46 verst. The
men rode the last 46 verst. Took station in Pinega.
December 28 —Men cleaned equipment, drew supplies
and rested.
I)ecember 29 —Co. took over part of guard in village,
outpost duty, and building defenses near village.
l)ecember 30-Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon left Pinega
at 12:30 p. m. for advance outpost position some
versts south of Pinega. Raiding party sent out to
nearby village, and took four prisoners.
December 31-Disposition of Co. on last (lay of month:
Three officers and 117 E. M. on I)S with Vologda
force. 37 men absent sick. One in confinement.
One officer and 46 E. M. Soyla. Balance of Co.
doing outpost duty at Pinega.
JANUARY
January 1 —Disposition of Co.: Capt. Moore, Lts. Stoner
and Wright, Co. Hq. 1st and 4th platoons stationed
at Pinega. 1st platoon on line of communications
at Soyla. 4th platoon on guard outpost duty and
constructing defenses. Lts. Donovan, Primin and
Wieczorek, 2nd and 3rd platoons (117 E. M.) still
on DS Vologda force. 37 men absent sick, and
one in confinement, 2 at Kholmogori.
January 2-3-Disposition of Co. samne as of 1st.


January 4-This morning Co. barracks burned. Fire
was discovered by fire guard at 3:15 a. in. The
1st Sgt., Supply Sgt., and one Cook, fire guard, and
two or three men sick in qtrs., were practically
the only men in building when fire was discovered, the balance of the men being on guard. By
the time these few men succeeded in saving the
ammunition and most of the supplies, there was
no chance to save the barrack bags and men's personal equipment.
January 5-13-Disposition of Co. same as of 1st.


January 14-Today at 2:30 p. in. Lts. Donovan, Primmn
and Wieczorek, 2nd and 3rd platoons, less 13 E. M.
who were left on DS with Vologda force V. O. Bn.
C. reported for duty with Co. The detachment
traveled 204 versts, marching most of the way, the
men reported very hard trip, the weather being
40 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit, most of the
journey, but men arrived in good condition.
January 15-Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon at Soyla. Balance of Co. doing guard and constructing defenses
in and around Pinega.
January 16-22. Disposition of Co. same as of 15th.
January 23 —Lt. Primin and 3rd platoon (47 E. M.) left
for 1. of c. near Soyla at 6:00 p. m. today. Balance
of Co. same as of 15th.
January 24 ---Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon (46 E. M.) reported in from 1. of c. duty near Soyla at 10:00
p. im. today.
January 25 —Lt. Priimm and 3rd platoon on 1. of c. duty
near Soyla. Balance of Co. doing guard and outpost duty in and around Pinega.
January 26-27-I)isposition of Co. same as of 25th.
January 28-Capt. Moore, Lt. Stoner and Lt. Wright, 1st
platoon (44 E. M.) and 4th platoon (38 E. M.) left
for front line to act as rear guard, and guard for
Artillery for the Russian White Guards who were
preparing for attack on enemy position at Ust
Pocha. Lt. Primin and 3rd platoon at Soyla. 2nd
platoon doing guard and outpost duty at Pinega.
January 29-30 —Disposition of Co. same as of 28th.
January 31-Officers and men who for front line on
the 28th returned at 10:00 a. m. today. The enemy
was well fortified, and had us outnumbered two to'
one, so consequently attack proved unsuccessful.
Disposition of Co. at midnight tonight. 37 men
absent sick. 13 on DS Vologda force. 10 sick in
hospital and one in confinement. The remainder
of the Co. very much occupied in doing guard, outpost duty and constructing defenses in and around
Pinega.
FEBRUARY
February 1-Lt. Prinmm and 3rd platoon on advance
outpost duty at Soyla. Remainder of Co. less 16
men on DS and 1 in confinement doing guard, fatigue and constructing defenses in and around
Pinega.
February 2 ---Lt. Wieczorek and 2nd platoon left for
Yural at 10:30 a. in. today to reinforce 3rd platoon.
Remainder of Co. same as 1st.
February 3 —I)isposition of Co. same as 2nd.
February 4 —Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon left for Peligor
at 9:30 a. in. Lt. Wright and 4th platoon left for
Vonga at 10:30 a. in. today, to assist White Guards
in repelling attack on positions in vicinity of Peligori. Lt. Wieczorek and 2nd platoon returned
from Yural to Pinega at 9:30 a. in. today. This
platoon held in reserve.
February 5-Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon returned from
Peligori at 2:30 p. i. Lt. Wieczorek and 2nd platoon left for Kuligora at 8:30 a. in. today. Lt.
Wright and 4th platoon to Peligori.
February 6-Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon left for Peligori at 9:00 a. in. today. Lt. Wright and 4th platoon returned from Peligori at 12:30 p. In. Lt.
Primmn and 3rd platoon still at Soyla.
February 7-Lt. Wright and 4th platoon left for Kuligori at 9:00 a. m. Lt. Wieczorek and 2nd platoon
in from Kuligori at 10:25 a. m.
February 8-Lt. Wieczorek and 2nd platoon left for
Pelegori at 8:30 a. m. Lt. Stoner and 1st platoon
in from Pelegori at 10:25 a. m. Enemy retreated
to Ust Pocha.
February 9-Second and fourth platoons returned
from front at 10:00 a. In. today. Lt. Primm and
3rd platoon still at Soyla. Very cold, Enemy
burned Priluki.


February 10-Three skeleton platoons (1st, 2nd, and
4th) in Pinega today doing street patrol, outpost
duty and patrolling nearby villages.
February 11-Same as 10th.
February 12-The Russian White Guards are doing the
Interior Guard in Pinega. This arrangement allows us to have a limited amount of close order
drill, Lewis gun, machine gun and non-commissioned officers school, also Russian, Eng. and arith.
classes in the evening.




February 13-Lt. Primm and 3rd platoon still at Soyla.
Duties of remainder of Co. same as of 12th.
February 14-27-No changes. Usual day and night patrols sent to nearby villages. 40 to 50 degrees below zero. 52 on 18th.
February 24-Lt. Donovan and Pvt. Roleau left on Co.
business at Obozerskaya.
February 28-Disposition of Co. at midnight tonight.
Lt. Primm and 48 E. M. on 1. of c. duty at Soyla.
The remainder of Co., less 18 men on 1)S, 16 men
absent sick, and 1 in confinement, are doing outpost duty, street patrols, reconnissance patrols.
Attending schools and close order drill as much as
circumstances will permit.
MARCH
March 1-Lt. Primm and 3d platoon outposted at Soyla.
1st, 2nd and 4th platoons relieving one another on
outposts and street patrols. Inspection today.
March 2-Lt. Primm and 3rd platoon still outposted at
Soyla. Balance of Co. doing outpost duty, street
patrols and patrols of nearby villages. Close order
drill.
March 3-Disposition same as of 2nd.
March 4-Lt. Primm still outposted at Soyla. Lt. Stoner
with 1st and part of 2nd platoons with companies
equipment moved out at 5:00 p. m. for Kholomagori.
March 5-Lt. Wright and 4th platoon plus Hq's. platoon
left Pinega for Archangel at 1:00 p. m. Arrived at
Gebach 11:45 p. m. Lt. Primmn and 3rd platoon
left Soyla at 8:30 a. ni. for Archangel.  Capt.
Moore remained in Pinega.
March 6-Left Gebach at 7:00 a. nm. arriving at UstPalenga at 4:30 p. m. Lts. Wright and Prinmm and
3rd and 4th platoons were quartered in Gebach.
March 7-Left Ust-Palenga at 6:30 a. m., arrived Kholomogari at 12:30. Drew rations.
March 8-Left Kholomogari at 10:00 a. m., arrived at
Lavalya at 4:00 p. m.
March 9-Left Lavalya at 6:00 a. m. Arived Archangel
Smolny barracks 9:30 a. m. 1st and 2nd platoons
had Cootie and Venereal Inspection.
March 10-3rd and 4th platoons had Cootie and Venereal Inspection. Balance of Co. had Lewis Gun
instruction in morning and usual drill schedule
followed in afternoon.
March 11 —Usual drill schedule followed.
March 12-19-Disposition saine as of 11th.
March 20-Moved entire Co. into one building today.
Set up field kitchen.
March 21-22-Disposition of Co. same as 1lth.
March 23-Gas Iask inspection. Stood to at 9:00 p. in.
1st platoon put on an emergency guard. Fear of
rioting by Bolo sympathizers.
March 24-UJsual drill schedule. 2nd platoon used as
emergency guard. Patrols sent out.
March 25-26-4th platoon used as emergency guard.
Usual drill schedule. Sgt. Dundon to hospital for
appendicitis operation.
March 27-Guard house and Co. "I" barracks burned
at 2:00 a. m.
March 27-Left Smolny at 4:30 p. m. and entrained at
Archangel Prestin.  Arrived at Obozerskaya at
2:00 a. m.
March 28-Had breakfast and hiked 18 versts to front
and relieved "E" Co. at Verst 18 on Onega road
from Obozerskaya, at 3:30 p. In.
March 29-Stood to at 4:00 a. in. Outpost duty and
patrols.
March 30-Disposition same as of 29th.
March 31-Stood to at 4:00 a. m. Enemy opened up at
9:0()0 a. m. with M. G. in rear of our rear outpost.


Heavy barrage on front and enemy came up in
skirmish line but were repulsed. Corp. Pratt
wounded Sgt. Leitzell and Pvt. Hogan and Mech.
Laursen taken prisoners. Mech. Chas Dial killed
in action along road at Verst 16 in rear of rear
outpost.
APRIL
April 1-Machine gun fire opened up at 3:30 with
Trench Mortars. Enemy made three attacks, coming up in three waves, but were repulsed. Eight
prisoners taken.


April 2-Stood to at 4:00 a. m. Enemy artillery fire
opened up at 6:00 a. m. Heavy shelling and two
or three attempts were made to get in but were
repulsed.
April 3-Machine gun fire opened up at 2 a. in. but
nothing resulted. Stood to at 4:00 a. im. Outpost
duty and patrols.
April 4-Stood to at 4:00 a. m. Outpost duty and patrols. Started to be relieved at 3:00 p. m. Finally
got away at 9:00 p. m. Arrived Obozerskaya 2:15
a. nm. on 5th.
April 5-6-Cleaning up equipment and "bahnia."
April 7-Cleaning automatics. Fixing up Hqs. cars.
Had first "shot" of vaxine.
April 8-Filled Vickers gun belts. Carried lumber for
Hqs. cars. Carried supplies to cars today.
April 9-Details working on cars. Left Obozerskaya at
2:00 p. m. Arrived Verst 466 at 2:40 p. In. Two
platoons outposted at Verst 466 and one platoon
outposted at 455. The other platoon doing fatigue
and patrols. Col. Stewart visited the Co. today.
April 10-One platoon outposted 455. Two platoons
outposted at 466. Fatigue and patrols. Machine
gun practice.
April 11-13 — isposition same as of 10th, Palm Sunday
services.
April 14-Patrol of Bolshevikc reported in Valsheniza.
One platoon outposted at 455. Two platoons outposted at 466. One Sgt. and two squads outposted
at 470. Fatigue and patrols.
April 15-Disposition same as of 14th. Received second inoculation today.
April 16-Disposition same as of 15th.
April 17-Disposition same as of 15th. Cleaned up
area at Verst 466.
April 18-Outpost relieved at 470. Second platoon outposted at 455. Two platoons outposted 466. Fatigue and patrols.
April 19-Bear outpost at 470 taken over again by one
Sgt. and two squads.  Cpl. Russell accidentally
killed by hand grenade. Cpls. Picard, Roinanski
and Pvt. Miller wounded by same grenade.
April 20 —Rear outpost at 470 relieved at 3:00 p. in.
Relief arrived 466 at 3:40 p. In. Left 466 at 4:50
p. in., arriving 455 at 5:50. Took over interior
guard and some of the outposts. Two platoons
took over blockhouses at 448. Fatigue and patrols.
April 21-22-)Disposition same as of 20th.
April 23-D)isposition same as of 20th. General Richardson visited and inspected us today.
April 24 —Lts. Stoner, Priinm and 1st and 3rd platoons
outposted 448. 2nd and 4th platoons outposted
455. Fatigue and patrols. Part of blockhouses at
448 taken over by Russians.
April 25-28 —Disposition same as of 24th.
April 29-Two platoons outposted at Versts 445-448.
One platoon moved out at 6:00 p. m. and took over
the front line. One platoon at Verst 455 doing outpost duty and patrols,
April 30 —4th platoon outposted at 444. 3rd platoon
outposted 446. 1st platoon outposted 448, and 2nd
platoon outposted at 455. Patrols. Had inspection by the General Inspector, Maj. Scales.
MAY
May 1-Three platoons of "M" Co. outposted at 444-446.
Part of the 2nd platoon outposted at 455 relieved
by the Russians. Fatigue and patrols.
May 2-3-Disposition sale as of 1st.
May 4-Disposition same as of 1st. Bolshevik plane
flew over Verst 455, dropping bomb away to the
rear of our position.
May 5-Disposition same as of 1st. Decorations be

stowed on the men today in the presence of General Richardson.
May 6-Disposition same as of 1st. Enemy planes flew
over our position at 5:30 a. In. dropping bombs in
rear of our position.
May 7-Disposition same as of 1st.
May 8-Co. relieved from front lines and entrained at
Verst 455 for Obozerskaya, arriving Obozerskaya
2:00 a. m.
May 9-Co. taking baths and turning in winter equipment.




May 10-Co. resting and cleaning up.
May 11-14-Co. doing fatigue in and around Obozerskaya.
May 15 —Fatigue. Inspection by Major Nichols.
May 16 —Inspection of equipment.
May 17-19-Inspection and fatigue.
May 20-Co. moved out at 8:45 p. m. from Obozerskaya
arriving Bakaritza 5:15 a. m. next day. Cook
Fisher awarded huge M & V medal.
May 21 —Left Bakaritza at 11:00 a. in., arriving Economie 1:00 p. in.
May 22-27-Co. performed usual camp duties. Many
sick with dysentery.
May 28-Co. won baseball championship from Hq. Co.,
5 to 2.
May 29-Sane as of 22nd.
May 30 —Co. paraded Memorial Iay parade to(lay in
Archangel.
May 31-Same as of 22nd.
JUNE
June 1 —Preparations for embarkation. No darkness.
June 2-Embarked on H. M. S. S. "Czar" 3:00 p. nm.
June 3 —Sailed for France. Sea rough.
June 4-In the Polar ice floes. Night cloudy but not
dark.
June 5 —Still in the ice fields in morning.
June 6-7-Rough riding. Good eats.


June 8 —At anchor in harbor of Lerwick, the Shetland
Isles, Scotland, till 3:00 p. in.
June 9-Among the shoals off the west coast of Scotland. Into Irish Sea.
June 10-In British Channel.
June 11-Landed at Brest. Long, hot hill to Pontanezen. REAL EATS. "Bokoo seconds."
June 12-15-Changing equipment and clothing.
June 16-Corp. Rosenau and Corp. Merwin injured in
collapse of K. of C. recreation building.
June 17-20-Camp fatigue and waiting for ship.
June 21-Embarked on U. S. S. S. "Von Steuben."
June 22-27-Fine voyage.
June 28 ----"21 guns" fired for signing of Peace Treaty.
Exactly 5 years ago today Serbian student shot
Prince Ferdinand and started this war.
June 29 Storm at sea.
June 30-Landed at Hoboken. Went to Camp Merritt.
JULY
July 1-At Camp Merritt. Inspections, etc.
July 2-11:50 p. in. entrained at lumont for Camp Custer.
July 3-Train stopped at Detroit 11:00 p. in.
July 4-Belle Isle parade and rest.
July 5 —Proceeded to Camp Custer.
July 6-Handed in equipment, physical examination,
etc.
July 7-Final discharge and pay.


Russian Views Obtainable


The following are pictures which you may order
from Signal Corps, Washington, D. C. Send 15 cents
apiece, by postal order:
39135-Archangel Water Front. 28595 —French
Company at Obozerskaya Station. 39258-Disembarking at Bakaritza. 32057 —View of Bolo dugout at ()bozerskaya. 158882 —M. O.'s Dugout at 445. 152813 -Sentinel, Farthest South on the Voga River. 28590 -Russian Engine and Cord Wood at Obozerskaya. 50103
-Good View of Loaded Droskie.    158863-View of
Sleigh Supply Train. 158864-Bridge on Corduroy
Road near Malozerke. 39242 —Close up view of Barishnas on Aviation Field. 161721-Good Picture of Brick
Stove. 39137 —Another View of Water Front. 32074
Street Car and People. 39129-Market Scene. 39130 -Doughboy Saying "Skulka." 161114-Very Good Winter Scene 445. 161086-Soldiers and Rouble, our "Spy
Dog."  161094-Soldiers in Hostess House. 161718 -View of "M" Co. Playing at Smolny. 158869-Shell
Bursting Near Curve at Verst 18. 161725Ball Room
Scene Am. Hq., Archangel. 159507-Interior View Convalescent Hospital with Good Old Captain-Doc Greenleaf. 159453-Fine View of the Landing of Our Good
Old General Richardson, April 17, 1919. 32075-466.
Many of the illustrations in this book show ihe
Signal Corps Number.
When ordering give the numbers plainly. Be sure
to put on your address plainly.
Guy R. Lanmnan, 522 S. Hadden Ave., El Reno,
Oklahoma, who was a sailor on the )es Moines, has a
fine lot of post card views. You would be interested
in his list of views at 1Oc each. They are as follows:
431-Eagle 2 in Economie, Russia. 453-Russian Workmen, Salombala. 459-Old Prison in Archangel. 108 -Cemetery, Kijo Island. 473 —Schoolhouse on Banks of
Dwina. 477-310th Engrs. After Their Barracks Burned at Salalombola. 451-The "Czar" at Anchor, Water


Front, Archangel. 492 —It.Donovan and Maj.Young near
Y. M. C. A., Archangel. 25A-Russki Sleigh Taxi in
Bival. 43-A Good Birdseye View of Archangel. D6 -Sea View of Murmansk, Russia. 454-Russki Bridge
Builders. 7-Fine Close View of Windmill. 46-Jackies in Area of Archangel. 14-Haymaking Scene. 415
-Gen. Richardson on Eagle 2 Seeing Americans Off
from Economie, Russia, June 14, 1919. 462-Floral
Arch of Welcome in Archangel. 426 Close View of
Tall Bell Tower. I)73 —An Old Russian Sea Captain on
the Desmoines.   )76-Two Norwegian Fishermen on
Desmoines. D74-Typical Russian Trader. 452-Sailors of the Ies Moines, Who Paraded with Us on Decoration Day, 1919, in Archangel. 177-Birdseye of Archangel. 420 —Fine View of the Church with theOutside
Murals. 412 —Woman Working in Paving Gang. 455 -Primitive Saw Mill. B3-Eagle 3. 425-Train of Box
Cars. 447-Typical )roskies. 432-Group of Russian
Children.  474  Mill and Lumber Yard.    D36-The
Yankton. 460-Main Street in Archangel. 471-Bolshevik Prisoner. 414-House that Encloses Peter the
Great's Cabin.  468-Russian Family.   404-Steigerwald at Anchor. 445-Allied Soldiers in Lumber Yard.
464-Wonen with Droskie and Wooden Shovels. 427
— Cathedral. B25-Jack Has a Flying Fish. 456 —Carriages for Hire. 1),123 —Icebreaker in Russia in June.
1)66-View of North Cape. 1)63-Furthest North. D10
-Murmansk Coast. 422-Harbor View of Archangel
in June, 1919. 1)40-Picture of a Mine. D50-The
Menominee Caught in Ice in White Sea, May.   472 -U. S. Consolate in Archangel. 406-"M" Co. at Archangel for the Decoration Iay Parade. 465-Col. Ruggles Watching Parade. 408-View of Memorial Service.
410-Another View of Same. 411-Blowing Taps Over
American Graves.   466-"Czar" Ready to Sail from
Archangel. 15X-Sun Shining at Midnight, June, off
Murmansk Coast. 10c each.




Roster
For want of space it is necessary to put in a queer-looking roster, one with addresses, so far as
known, of officers and men who served over seas with the company in the Archangel state of North
Russia from Septemnber 1918 to June 1919.


OFFICERS


Capt. Joel R. Moore, 407 E. Porter St., Albion, Mich.
1st Lt. James R. Donovan, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wis., or Waupun, Wis.
1st Lt. George W. Stoner, 404 First St., Monroe, Mich.
1st Lt. Clarence J. Primm, 327 S. LaSalle St., Chicago,
Ill. Care Visual Education Society.


2nd Lt. Milton J. Carpenter, 537 Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, Wis.
2nd Lt. Robert J. Wieczorek, 6826 Fleet Ave., Cleveland,
Ohio.
2nd Lt. Wesley K. Wright, 350 E. 59th St., Chicago, Ill.


SERGEANTS


Walter Dundon, 1st Sgt., 50 Cutler St., Detroit.
Glenn W. Leitzell, Sup. Sgt., Care J. L. Hudson Co.,
Detroit.
William R. Huston, Mess-Sup. Sgt., Chicago, Ill., Care
Yellow Taxi Co.
Charles W. Page, Mess Sgt., 298 Glendale Ave., Highland
Park.
Jacob Kantrowitz, Care N. Weingold, 501 E. 173rd St.,
Bronx, N. Y.
Charles A. Hebner, RFD 1, North Judson, Ind.
Ralph V. Walker, 88 Park Blvd., Detroit.


Frank Getzloff, Harris, Mich.
John P. Gray, 942 Hudson Ave., Detroit.
Norman H. Zapfe, 250 Davidson Ave., Highland Park.
Harvey B. Peterson, 203 Whitney Ave., Detroit.
Joseph P. Curry, 465 Baker St., )etroit.
Charles V. Riha, 582 24th St., Detroit.
William Hay, 1341 Theodore St., Detroit.
Mathew G. Grahek, 2401 "B" St., Calumet Mich.
John W. Magin, 1166 Concord Ave., Detroit. (Alpena,
Mich.)


CORPORALS


William J. Foreit, 1451 24th St., Detroit.
Walter Blackburn, 656 24th St., Detroit.
Emil H. Hardke, 14301/ Vinewood Ave., Detroit.
Harold Montgomery, 135 Rebecca St., Dayton, Ohio.
William J. Walsh, 200 Avery St., Tyre, Mich.
Simon Bogacheff, Detroit.
Edward E. Henning, 133 Williams St., Detroit.
Frank Rahn, 338 Arndt St., Detroit.
Walter H. Rosenau, 347 Maybury Grand Ave., Detroit.
Joseph F. Ryduchowki, 118 Maybury Grand Ave., Detroit.
Jonathan Davis, 1419 Moobery Ave., Columbus, Ohio.
Garry J. Rankin, 1139 N. Park Ave., Kalamazoo.
Walter J. Picard, 280 Helen Ave., Detroit.
William H. Russell, (KILLED); Sister, Mrs. Ana Butler,
384 Moore Place, Ietroit.
Homer Steinhauer, Millington, Mich.
Horace R. Swift, 35 Washington St., Clifton, N. J.
Eugene A. Merwin, Manistique, Mich.
Frank L. O'Connor, 1103 Steuben St., Utica, N. Y.
Theodore J. Messersmith, 1462 Helen Ave, Detroit.
Frank Kanaby, 240 Hartford Ave., Detroit.
Wiliam Neiman, RFD 1, Berger, Mich.
Robert M. Pratt, Ashton, Mich.
Ross O. Walton, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Edwin J. Zisherk, 752 McDougal Ave., Detroit.


Clifford Dalton, 313 Hammond Bldg., Detroit, Care
Thomas Ialton.
Norbert G. Gramlich, Maybee, Mich.
Cortland A. Nielson, Sandusky, Mich.
David V. Sjolin, 30 Marshall Ave., Battle Creek, Mich.
Norbert J. Schillinger, 528 East Elm St., Monroe, Mich.
John H. Kearney, 173 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon, Mich.
Arthur B. Bitz, 441 N. Monroe St., Monroe, Mich.
Earl J. Laur, 22 Palms Ave., Detroit.
Edward J. Burrill, 879 Canton Ave., Detroit.
Harry Bissonette, 1104 Third St., Grand Rapids.
Fred L. Hodges, 526 S. Front St., Dowagiac, Mich.
Frank J. Romanski, 108 Andrus Ave., Hamtramck, Detroit.
John E. Collier, RFD 2, Mt. Clemens, Mich.
Leo Schwabe, Care Lt. M. J. Carpenter, 537 Prospect
Ave., Milwaukee, Wis.
Walter Zimmerman, RFD, Terre Haute, Ind.
Norman C. Miller, RFD 2, Croswell, Mich.
Benjamin Jondro, 1010 Short Ave., Fremont, Ohio.
John E. Archer, 1642 N. 12th St., Tere Haute, Ind.
Russell V. Haynes, 118 N. Wabash Ave., Battle Creek.
Louis Fralick, Ellenberg Center, N. Y.
Edward E. Sapp, (KILLED), Father, Joseph Sapp, RFD
3, Rodney, Mich.


COOKS (and Three Acting Cooks)


Joseph J. Pavlin, 1117 Vinewood Ave., Detroit.
Theodore J. Zech, 490 Mt. Elliot Ave,. Ietroit.
Fred J. Hines, 38 Charlotte Ave., Detroit.
Milton R. Greiner, 251 Canton Ave., Detroit.


Boy J. Fisher, 308 Ingham St., Jackson, Mich.
Fred H. Johnson, Sparta, Mich.
Pietro Marostica, 381 Iivision St., Detroit.


MECHANICS


Charles Otis Dial, (KILLED); Wife, Mrs. Anna A. Dial,
1509 Mt. Elliot Ave., Detroit.
Arthur Silvernail, Cass City, Mich.
Charles F. Senzik, 607 Maybury Grand Ave., Detroit.
Jens C. Laursen, RFD 2, Marlette, Mich.


Henry F. Kraft, RFD 5, Marlette, Mich.
Henry A. Bartels, Coleman, Wis.
Henry Klinkman, Cass City, Mich.
Alfred F. Rutty, 628 Lawton Ave., Detroit.
John Kostuch, Detroit, Mich.


BUGLERS
Columbus Le Blanc, 108 Godard St., Wyandotte, Mich.


George Garton, 3157 Sheridan Ave., St. Louis, Mo.


RUNNERS (Pvts., 1st Class)


Harold C. Metcalfe, 1020 Western Ave., Pittsburg, Penn.
Ray L. Lawrence, RFD, Battle Creek.


Fred De Laney, Portland, Mich.
Gaylon Cameron, Mecosta, Mich.




CO. HQ ORI)ERLIES AND INTERPRETERS
(Pvts., 1st Class)


Ernest P. Rouleau, (French), 446 12th St., Detroit.
Alfred Starikoff, (French), Care D. J. Healey Shops,
Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Frank Stepnavski, (Russian), 891 Piquette St., Detroit.


Iazo Obradovic, (Russian), 8 Superior St., Duquesne,
Penn.
Sgt. J. Kantrowitz, (French and Russian).
Corp. Frank Romanski, (Polish and Russian).


PRIVATES, FIRST CLASS


John C. Adams, RFD 6, Charlotte, Mich.
Clyde E. Arnold, Middleville, Mich.
Elmer Brancheau, Care James Brancheau, 441 Riverview Ave., Monroe, Mich.
Carlton C. Brigham, RFD 1, Evart, Mich.
William H. Braund, 22 Seventh St., S. E., Washington,
D. C.
Harrison Bush.
Harry C. Boroff, Mecosta, Mich.
James L. Clark, 188 Prospect St., Pontiac.
William H. Donnor, Star Greehouse, Big Rapids, Mich.
Harry E. Drackert, 575 State Line St., Hammond, Ind.
William A. Drews, RFD 5, Brockville, Ind.
William Duby, 1111 East First St., Monroe, Mich.
Owa C. Dusseau, RFD 2, Erie, Mich.
Arthur L. Eckert, 525 N. Monroe St., Monroe, Mich.
Fred Goll.
Albertus R. Gray, Box 324, Valparaiso, Ind.
Russell B. Hill, St. Louis, Mich.
Guy E. Honey, 92 West Forest Ave.. Detroit.
Joseph Holmes, 26 N. Wabash Ave., Battle Creek, Mich.
Gordon B. Hand, RFD 5, Niles, Mich.
George E. Hanrahan, 1422 Racine St., Racine, Wis.
Ira F. Herron, Care Fred Herron, Marlette, Mich.
Thomas Horton, Omaha, Neb.
Clifford Hughes, RFD 2, Jeddo, Mich.
Anthony Jasinskas, 3239 S. Emerald Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Henry Jordon, 2729 S. Thorpe St., Chicago, Ill.
Charles A. Joncas, Newberry, Mich.
Frank Karber, Box 492, Mason, Mich.
Henry J. Kindler, 706 N. Cherry St., Huntington, Ind.
Homer E. Knight, 613 Cooper Ave., Lansing, Mich.
John C. Korchnak, 313 Jefferson Ave., Detroit.
Charles G. Langfitt, 119 Blackman Ave., Jackson, Mich.
John E. Lowe, Snover, Mich.
Claude Linville, RFI) 5, Paris, Kentucky.


James C. McKane, East Lansing, Mich.
Charles McLeish, Marlette, Mich.
Normal McColl, 228 Melbourne Ave., Detroit.
George H. Manders, Racine, Wis.
August P. Masson, 729 O'Brien St., Monroe, Mich.
Walter T. Mills, 136 Merchant St., Port Huron, Mich.
Clarence A. Miller, Nashville, Mich.
Thomas McElroy, RFI) 1, Valley Center, Mich.
Iawrence E. McDonald, 2613 Dart St., Flint, Mich.
Lawrence McWethy, 83 South Ave., Battle Creek.
Loren Mooney, Dowagiac, Mich.
Robert R. Mosher, RFD 1, Casopolis, Mich.
George Nada, 3111 Detroit Ave., Toledo, Ohio.
Richard Perkins, Nevisdale, Kentucky.
George H. Penoyer, RFD 8, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Orville E. Potter, Box 117, Alba, Mich.
John H. Rompinen, Care Jacob Rompinen, Wolverine,
Mich.
Floyd A. Sickles, (KILLED); Father, George Sickles,
Deckerville, Mich.
Earl J. Smith, Box 110, Mecosta, Mich.
Stephen J. Starr, 921 Sheridan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mich.
Charles E. Stringham, 23 Graham St., Grand Rapids.
Edward Thomas, Dorr, Mich.
William Thomas, 1324 15th St., Detroit.
Ray G. Vicary, Care Gilbert Vicary, 401 Ward St.,
Saginaw, Mich.
Martin Van Dyke, RFI) 1, Rothbury, Mich.
Samuel C. Wolson, 994 Michigan Ave., Detroit.
Frederick Westjohn, 217 Monroe St., Traverse City,
Mich.
Allen Leo Warner, Mecosta, Mich. (Army name Allen
L. W.)
William Yohnke, 1913 Heard St., Toledo, Ohio.
H-erman J. Yopp, 120 S. Second St., Paducah, Ky.
Clement H. Zarek, 3222 S. Morgan St., Chicago, Ill.


PRIVATES


Clement H. Zarek, 3222 S. Morgan St., Chicago, Ill.
Ietroit.
Ole Anderson, Detroit, Mich.
Richard Augustine, RFD 1, Sheboygan, Wis.
Ray Austin, RFD 1, Rodney, Mich.
Golden C. Bahr, RFI) 1, Copemish, Mich. (Died March
12, 1919); Mother Ellen C. Bahr.
Edwin C. Blades, RFD, Pinckney, Mich.
John Boysen, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
(scar J. Buth.
Vincent Bracci, (Died March 23, 1920, at Marine Hospital, Detroit.)
Harry Brunell, 576 Sylvester St., Ietroit.
Russell A. Carr, Rodney, Mich.
William Comfort.
Christian Christianses, Blanchard, Mich.
Robert H. Clift, Mooresville, Ind.
Alva Crook, (KILLEI)); Father, Jerry Crook, RFI) 3,
Lakeview, Mich.
William Derlicke.
Joseph Devish.
Schliomi Dyment, (KILLED); Friend, Jacob Guyer, 310
35th St., Ietroit.
Joseph Eckert, RFD, Huntington, Ind.
Hans C. Ellefsen, Gillette, Wis.
Herbert G. Eib, 815 Mackinaw St., Saginaw, Mich.
Herman Engelberg, 220 Adelaide St., Detroit.
Harry Fina, Care Andrae Fina, 1440 12th St., Detroit.


Albert Fohl, Care Mrs. Nettie Fohl, Cedar Grove, Ind.
Fred Freiberg, RFD 4, Big Rapids, Mich.
Eugene Gitz.
Vicenty Grzelak, 1081 24th St., Detroit.
Howard L. Harkness, 125 Apple St., Muskegon, Mich.
Albert S. Herber, Washington, Mich.
Robert Hardy, Care William Hardy, RFI) 1, Deckerville, Mich.
Charles C. Hawk, Orleans, Ind.
George IHemingway, Otter Lake, Mich.
Ernest F. Herman, 98 Fisher St., Pontiac, Mich.
Harry F. Hill, Care Mrs. Ella Hill, 73 W. Fountain St.,
Battle Creek, Mich.
Roy S. Hill, RFD 2, Palms, Mich.
Harold Holiday, Care Mrs. Sadie Holiday, Potterville,
Mich.
Freeman Hogan, Detroit, Mich.
Fred L. Hodgson, (Died, Flu); Mother, Mrs. Richard
Ho(lgson, RFD 2, Casopolis, Mich.
Cletus R. Humphrey, RFD 6, Salem, Ind.
William Hyatt, 1505 Bush Ave., Flint, Mich.
John M. Jankowski, 929 5th Ave., Milwaukee, Wis.
Vincent J. Javorski, 3313 Hillock Ave, Chicago, Ill.
Jens F. Jensen, 1220 Merryman St., Marinette, Wis.
John A. Jerrain, 1556 Levee St., Chicago, Ill.
Charles F. Jerry, 3323 S. Irving St., Chicago, Ill.
Max J. Joswick, 3330 S. Wall St., Chicago, Ill.
Walter P. Jones, Dowagiac, Mich.




Adolph Johnson, 355 Second St., Manistee, Mich.
William Johnson, RFD 5, Marlette, Mich.
Wallace Keeney.
Allen Kaake, RFD 6, Brown City, Mich.
Horace Kaake, RFD 2, Elk, Mich.
Joseph Karapuz, 51 Grayling Ave., Hamtramck, Detroit.
John Keller, Cross Village, Mich.
Alfred E. Kienbaunm, RFD 1, Sandusky, Mich.
Joseph L. Klimson, 3430 S. Morgan St., Chicago, Ill.
Albert Kmeciak, Menominee, eMAich.
Herman F. Koenig, RFD 2, Burlington, Wis.
Fred A. Koetzke, Sandusky, Mich.
Charles E, Kroetch, Snover, Mich.
William C. Kreighbaum, Cassopolis, Mich.
Frank Lachachke, Kenosha, Wis.
Floyd R. Iatta, 48 Newark St., Battle (reek.
Frank La Fevre, Indiana Ave., S. W., Grand Rapids.
O)scar Lighter, Gasport, Indiana.
Alfred Iewis, RFD 1, Hersey, Mich.
William J. Lewis, 316 Bartlett St., S. W., Grand Rapids.
Steve Lito, Care It. Stoner, Monroe, Mich.
Leonard L,ovecchio, Care Lewis Malalasta, 231 E. Congress St., Detroit.
Joseph Lucier, 115 Fourth Ave., Gladstone, Mich.
Michael Machulis, 429 Bronson St., Kenosha, Wis.
Harold McCarty, RFD 1, Deckerville, Mich.
Stephen McClure, RFI) 1, Peck, Mich.
Frank Mclonald, Croswell, Mich.
Frank McGregor, McGregor, Mich.
James E. McRae, (:ass City, Mich.
James Maitland, Sandusky, Mich.
Stephen M. Maher, 41 Howard Ave., New Haven, Conn.
Walter Merrick, (KILLED); Father, George Merrick,
Sandusky, Mich.
Alexander Miller, Remus, Mich.
Edward L. Miller, Care Mrs. Irene Miller, Elston, Mich.
Joseph A. Mickeliunas, 4,110 S. Richmond St., Chicago.
Irvin C. Morse, RFD 5, Lansing, Mich.
James H. Nally, 1529 Quarry Ave., Louisville, Ky.
Matti Neimi, (I)IEI) of Wounds); Friend, John Tonka,
Verona, Mich.
Marion E. Nichols, U. S. Gen. Hospital, Ward E, Fort
McHlenry, Baltimore, Md.
Arthur P. Nunn, (DIED of Flu); Father, William Nunn,
RFI) 6, Croswell, Mich.


Charles A. Ordish, Decker, Mich.
David E. Oslund, Care Myrtle Ellis, Princeton, Mich.
Frank Paionk, Care Albert Osontobsi, RFD 1, Tyre,
Mich.
Robert E. Parker, RFD 5, Carsonville, Mich.
W\arren F. Parker, Lexington, Mich.
Albert Patz, Ruth, Mich.
John Pollich, 321 William St., Big Rapids, Mich.
John Przybylski, Care Mrs. Stella Przybylski, Iron
River, Mich.
Charles P. Radjuinas.
Charles V. Rock.
Samuel Safer, 414 N. Saginaw St., Flint, Mich.
Alonzo Simon, Reinus, Mich.
Paul Smaglick, (are Martin Smaklick, Stephenson,
Mich.
Harry H. Smith, Care Harry Hart, RFD 5, Salem, Mich.
Max A. Smith, Care Mrs. Minnie Smith, Stambaugh,
Mich.
Willard H. Soper, RFI) 5, Morley, Mich.
Walter Streit, FI) 2, Merrick, Mich.
Guy Stone, Care Mrs. Libby Libble, RFD 5, Cass City,
Iudwik Stasiak, 625 Grandy Ave., Detroit.
William H. Staub, Care Mrs. Julia Staub, 1053 N. George
St., York, Penn.
Joseph Szczesny, 749 St. Auburn St., Detroit.
Frank Tauchus, 102 Beleous Ave., Montello, Mass.
James C. Temple, Benton, Wis.
Frank S. Teeter, Goshen, Ind.
Albert H. Totch, RFD 1, Manistee, Mich.
Charles L. Troupe, RFD, Stanwood, Mich.
Constartinas Tsitouras, 618 Fourth St., Sioux City, Ia.
Ilsworth Vernier, 21 Schiller St., Detroit.
Boy Tremaine, 2648 Second Ave., Highland Park, Ietroit.
John Vrahoritis, Box 235, West Branch, Mich.
Simon Welser, St. Clair, Mich.
Henry Wehlan, 499 Canton Ave., Detroit.
I)onald Wilson, Pierpont, Mich.
William Wyant, Boyine City, Mich.
Elmer Zander, 3553 S. Winchester Ave., Chicago, Ill.
John A. Zalewski, 1002 Orleans St., Detroit.
Peter J. Zantiotis, 261 Monroe Ave., Detroit.
Andrew Yasas, 3142 Auburn Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Julius F. Zilch, RFI) 1, Arcadia, Mich.
Leo Kimny, 3211 Wall St., Chicago, Ill.


F()OMIER "M" (CO. MEN


Sgt. Harold A. Swift, Commissioned Lt. of Engineers.
Sgt. Wiliam J. Merz, Commissioned Lt. of Infantry.
Corp. Edwin J. Zerkaloso, Commissioned Lt.ofInfantry.
Pvt. Nicholas Carras, who became Interpreter for (Gen.
Pershing.


Sgt. Mart Cox, old drill sergeant from the regulars,
whose heart was broken when he left Co. to go to
general hospital at Ft. Bayard, N. Mexico.
Sgt. John C. Tannahill, popularist "crap shooter" in the
339th. Transferred to the M. P.,Am WS ft ft ftY




Greetings
As this copy goes to the printer, comes to ye editor an Easter greeting from Lt. Donovan, the
sentiment of which ye editor pases on from him to each and every nmemer of the company who
may read these pages:
"At this time of resurrection
You have surely cause to sing
*                   And be happy in the beauty
And the promise of the spring."
Lt. Stoner writes:  "Our privations and hardships all went toward forming a lasting friendship
and filling us with memories that will always be pleasant to look back upon. I hope fortune will
smile on each of you real often and that success will crown your efforts."
Lt. Carpenter writes: "Many a time this past winter I have thought back to the days at Camlp
Custer when I was a part of "M" Company-the weeks we spent on the drill grounds learning discipline, the target practice on the range, and the Saturday afternoon boxing in the barracks, all of
w^hich makes me think that I had a part in making the men of "M" Co. the excellent soldiers they
proved to be when put to the test in Russia."
You will enjoy these words of greeting also from Lt. Prinm and Lt. Wright. Amn afraid Lt.
Wieczorek's letter will not arrive in time to go to print, but I know his interest is keen in the old
company.
GREETINGS to ALL FORMER MEMBERS OF CO. "M" 339TH INFANTRY AND ESPECIALLY TO
ALL WHO WERE IN THE OLD THIRD PLATOON
When you sailed off from that old sawdust pile, Economic, last June, it was like the end of an
act in a drama or the closing of a chapter in a book. There was a feeling of separation from the
story and at the same time a looking forward to the next part.
Much happened after you left. The papers did not get it any more nearly correctly than they got
the news when we were all there. Our English friends appeared in double the numbers of the entire
expedition as it was constituted when we were last on the front. Friction arose between them and
the North Russian Government and Army. Sacrifice advances were made, and then more ground
lost than gained. North Russians registered relief when English organizations began to embark.
Food enough was stored to last through February, 1920. If more could be obtained, Archangel Province would be independent; if not, Bolshevik. A very clear situation, so nichevo-why worry!
There were both radicals and conservatives all over Archangel Province in the summer of 1919,
but memnbers of both factions expected and desired American soldiers to be sent again to keep the
peace-and (in whispers) to dish out the roubles, tobacco and food. I carry general greetings from
many natives to all former members of A. E. F. N. R. wherever they may be.
The old fronts and lines of communication as you knew them were all changed during the summer. Pinega was held but the lines were cut in- several places. The Dwina force backed up to Siskoe
and the Vaga force came with it. North Russians conmmanded the entire Kodish lowland, but made
their base at the bridge.
Emsta was captured and Plesetskaya became the 3Blo front line. The Onega River district was
lost. On the Muramnsk Railroad our Transportation troops reached nearly to Petrazavodsk, not far
from Petrograd.
Between December 1919 and March 1920 the entire North Russian area fell into the hands of the
Bolsheviks. There are remaining in that area more than a hundred of our fellows whose bodies
could not be brought away. A few of us came out in October 1919 with over a hundred other bodies
collected from accessible places. Let us never forget them nor their families! Hats off for a moment!


As the 339th book goes forth I repeat again "Greetings to you all." And if the time ever comes
when our land is in serious danger from the kind of thing which has torn the heart out of Russia, I
hope to meet Under The Stars and Stripes every last one of you who can stand on his feet.
Yours for the land we live in,
C. J. PRIMM,
327 South LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois.




"Shot" at Obozerskaya, April 5th, 1919.


Chicago, Ill., April 8, 1920.
To Company "M" and the 4th Platoon:
Your friend and mine, Joel R. Moore, has asked me to write a greeting to Company "M" men, to
be incorporated in a Company History, which I consider an honor-also my duty.
As one of the heartily disliked species of the bird minus tail feathers; i. e. a "Shavetail,' as I
was fortunate enough to be, I hardly know how to start. I say fortunate because it could have been
much worse; viz.: to be a "Shavetail" without belonging to Company "M" and a member of the 4th
Platoon.
We of the 4th Platoon had a few disagreeable times together, a few pleasant, and a whole heap
of ordinary ones. And isn't it strange how we always think back to the pleasant ones? And it is
right and fitting that we should.
Always look for the pleasant things in life, work for them, demand, and get them. We all knov,
the "joykillers" were busy while we were gone. In fact they must have worked overtime, because
there were quite a few things missing in the good old U. S. A. by the time we discarded our uniforms
— things we looked forward to when we were "rarin' to go"-home.
Never mind! Just keep looking for the pleasant things in life, and life will be pleasant for all
of you; at least I most sincerely hope it will. I mean every d-d word of this.
May the day soon come when we can meet again (with lemon pop).
Sincerely yours,
W. K. WRIGHT.




"Drahst Vie"
In closing the book allow ime to thank you all for your loyal responses to everything I ever asked
of you.
Think proudly of your record as a fighting unit.
Meet your dities as citizens with the same loyal spirit of service. Study to (do your part intelligently. Before you shoot a ballot figure out the range and windage on the candidates for office.
Stand for law and order. Speak up for fair trial of those accused. Give the weak and ignorant a
lift.
We are in perilous times for the world. America must remai n n example of intelligent government by the people. We must hold our ground. I think we will.
Some of you will meet hard luck. Call on your comrades for reinforcements if we can help.
Mix some of the old-time company humor and grit with your determination. Make an attack on the
impossible. Forward, miarch!                                                 J. R. M.


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